ALBANY, NY – No person thought Indiana would even be shut. The consensus was that Indiana must play an ideal sport to even compete with No. 1-seed South Carolina and even then the Hoosiers could be fortunate to maintain the sport inside 15 factors.
The Hoosiers didn’t play an ideal sport. However by the tip of Friday night time’s Candy Sixteen matchup in opposition to the Gamecocks, the ultimate rating learn 79-75 at MVP Enviornment. The Hoosiers misplaced by just one possession they usually gave it their all till the ultimate buzzer sounded.
“We’re fighters, and I believe we confirmed that tonight,” Sydney Parrish mentioned. “It put us on the map, and folks understand what Indiana basketball is.”
What’s Indiana basketball, then? It’s the sort of basketball that individuals would possibly look previous or deem not adequate, nevertheless it reveals what is feasible when a staff shares a familial-like bond and needs to show individuals mistaken.
“We’re blue collar,” Teri Moren mentioned. “We play with a chip. We’re okay with individuals giving us an underdog position.”
At halftime, Indiana trailed 49-32. Lower than three minutes into the third quarter, South Carolina’s lead had grown to 22 factors and Indiana may have given in. That didn’t occur and Parrish performed a pivotal position. She led the Hoosiers on an 8-0 run all by herself, giving her teammates the power to propel them to chop the Gamecocks’ result in two with one minute remaining within the fourth quarter. It finally wasn’t fairly sufficient to deliver Indiana a victory, nevertheless it was a testomony to Indiana’s dedication nonetheless.
The Hoosiers outscored the Gamecocks 43-30 within the second half, taking pictures 55 % from the sector and 44 % from the perimeter. Their protection compelled seven Gamecock turnovers and gained the rebounding contest 16-11.
“For us to have the ability to battle to get again into the sport, we gained that second half,” Moren mentioned postgame with a tragic smile on her face. “We actually do have — I consider this — a really particular basketball staff.”
It’s clear from the tears within the eyes of Moren, Parrish and Holmes within the postgame press convention that there’s a particular bond among the many Hoosiers. Parrish credited Moren with reigniting her love for basketball and Holmes mentioned the 2 girls beside her on the rostrum had been two of her greatest inspirations.
“Coach Moren has exemplified what a robust girl appears to be like like, what a fearless girl appears to be like like,” Holmes mentioned.
A coach like that vastly advantages a program and the gamers she leads. So regardless of the loss, which marked the tip of the historic careers of Sara Scalia and Holmes, an excessive amount of what makes Indiana particular isn’t going away any time quickly. A revered and beloved head coach, two returning fifth-year college students and a crop of younger, hungry gamers make sure that.
“You’re at all times excited when you could have chemistry, and ours has been out of this world the final 4 or 5 years, and I believe it’ll proceed,” Moren mentioned. “We have now nice examples of what good chemistry appears to be like like, and Mackenzie’s been an enormous a part of that.”
So, too, have Parrish and Chloe Moore-McNeil, who will step into much more important management roles once they return to Bloomington subsequent yr. Their presences imply Indiana will proceed to have sturdy chemistry and two decided and passionate leaders.
“She’s as powerful as a six-dollar steak,” Moren mentioned about Moore-McNeil. “On the subject of competitors and by no means, ever backing down and by no means being afraid of the second — she’s not afraid of the second. And I’m so grateful she’s coming again.”
Moore-McNeil wanted to be particularly powerful Friday night time as a result of she was the underdog alongside each Hoosier who stepped on the ground. That’s the way it goes in opposition to an undefeated staff that bodily outmatches everybody. However you wouldn’t have identified it. Yarden Garzon and Lilly Meister discovered methods to maneuver round 6-foot-7 heart Kamilla Cardoso to go the ball, seize rebounds and maneuver for layups. Regardless of solely enjoying for 3 minutes, Julianna LaMendola gave Indiana its solely two bench factors as she additionally confirmed her prowess within the publish. Lexus Bargesser confirmed full confidence in taking the ball up the ground and directing site visitors when needed.
All of these gamers can even be returning subsequent yr. They’ll all know what it looks like to return seconds away from a shocking victory, so that they’ll need it much more.
“I would like them to stroll out with their heads held excessive,” Moren mentioned. “(However) I would like it to hassle them. And I do know it does.”
There’s no query that Indiana can be a unique staff with out Holmes and Scalia. Nonetheless, the identical factor was mentioned final yr when Grace Berger graduated and the yr prior when Ali Patberg graduated. Indiana has grow to be the sort of program that pumps out humble, hardworking gamers yearly. There’s no purpose to consider that can cease now.
“The best way we are able to honor Mackenzie, the way in which we are able to honor Grace, the way in which we are able to honor the Ali Patbergs which have been in our program is by doing precisely what they do, they usually present up they usually do greater than what’s required,” Moren mentioned. “We are able to discuss Grace Berger, the profession she’s had, the profession Mack’s had and so forth. We’ve bought nice proof that the way in which we’re doing issues is working for us.”
(Photograph credit score: IU Athletics)
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