The Indiana Hoosiers returned to Assembly Hall this weekend to win their ninth game of the regular season, as they returned to non-conference play. However, it was far from impressive as Indiana was taken to the wire against Chattanooga in a 9 point victory.
The Hoosiers led 41-38 at halftime. They were led in the game by forwards Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako, who both had 14 point games.
The Hoosiers struggle to defend the three point line as UTC shot 45 percent from 3 in the second half of the game.
“We had one stretch where we went up 10, and our defense was pretty solid,” Woodson said. “Then we give up a three. That 10, 11-point lead goes back to 7, 8. Those are things you got to eliminate, especially against good teams.”
Indiana hauled in 11 offensive rebounds that generated 15 second-chance points which was another key factor in the game, IU using their size in the front court has been an advantage all season for the Hoosiers.
"I think Indiana being a bit bigger and longer kind of hurt us in the end, but at the end of the day, we gave them a fight. We played our hearts out. I thought when it was a five-point game or so, I'm there thinking and asking, what gets tight if it's a one possession game late, in a game they're supposed to win? That type of thing. I just thought one more shot that fell could have really made a difference in the game." said Chattanooga guard Honnor Huff who scored 20 points on the Hoosiers defense
ndiana has now won all four meetings with the Mocs and is 8-0 at home.
Indiana (9-3) will return to action on Dec. 29 against Winthrop at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for the last home game of the 2024 calendar year.