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Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers kept in check but outlast Portland State by 11

By Jonathan Rothschild

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 20: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the UT Arlington Mavericks at Assembly Hall on November 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 20: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the UT Arlington Mavericks at Assembly Hall on November 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Indiana basketball program overcame a sluggish performance to take down Portland State, improving to 2-0 on the year.

After defeating Western Illinois in the season opener, the Indiana basketball program was back in Assembly Hall on Saturday for a matchup against Portland State. The Hoosiers came away the victory by a score of 85-74

The Hoosiers were once again without Devonte Green as he’s nursing a hamstring injury.

Portland State kept the Hoosiers within arms reach all of the first half with the biggest lead being 11 right before the half. The Hoosiers shot 48.4 percent from the field in the first half, and used its size to its advantage, going to the line for a total of 15 free throws, making 11.

Indiana had a tough time breaking Portland State’s tenacious press at times, having their offensive sets stalled, forcing the Hoosiers to slump throughout the game. Indiana’s defense also had issues guarding the fast paced Portland State Vikings, allowing 1.08 points per possession for most of the afternoon.

Portland State cut it to as little as five, halfway through the second half, but a technical foul against the Vikings halted some of the momentum and let the Hoosiers stretch the lead back up to double-digits, where it stayed for most of the remainder of the game.

Al Durham and Justin Smith once again showed their upperclassmen leadership and grit and both posted great games. Durham went 7-of-11 from the field with 18 points and Smith added another 16 points and eight rebounds. This contest was more of a team effort for the Hoosiers, however. Freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, his first career double-double and Race Thompson scored 10 points and added nine rebounds off of the bench.

Jerome Hunter got his first two three’s of his Indiana career, adding nine points off of the bench.

Holland Woods led the Vikings with 27 points, on 5-of-13 from the field, 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and a staggering 13-of-16 from the line. Matt Hauser also added 21 with an impressive 7-of-9 from the field.

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The Hoosiers will stay at home in their next contest on Tuesday against the North Alabama Lions. This game will be televised on Big Ten Network.

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