Slow going, but Indiana women's basketball gets job done against Penn State

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Coming off two prominent Big Ten wins and with a top-15 matchup looming, Indiana women’s basketball escaped an aggressive and relentless Penn State team in a potential trap game Wednesday at Assembly Hall, 75-67.

It was a physical, exerting game for the Hoosiers, maybe more than they were expecting as the Nittany Lions forced a fast pace and using their strength to their advantage against the Hoosiers.

“We got to be able to adjust but also execute our stuff in spite of the pressure,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. “We needed to be better.”

Mackenzie Holmes led the Hoosiers with 21 points while Sydney Parrish added 20 and Chloe Moore-McNeil 16.

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Slow start for Indiana women's basketball

IU has been quick to the draw in its previous two games, but not this one.

After scoring 36 points in a perfect (shooting-wise) first period vs. Michigan less than a week ago and jumping out to a big lead at Nebraska Sunday, the Hoosiers showed a little wear and tear starting 6-for-16 from the field and trailing 21-17 at the first break.

Penn State's defense routinely got in the way of good IU looks early, while double-teaming Holmes.

“It took us to the second half to adjust, and give our kids credit but that’s not the way we wanted to start this game tonight,” Moren said. “We knew they were going to pressure us and we didn’t handle it well.”

Penn State stifles Mackenzie Holmes down low

Penn State forward Ali Brigham played a part down low defending Holmes, teaming up with guard Leilani Kapinus to lock down the All-American. Meanwhile Indiana's "D" struggled to stop Penn State’s robust drive to the basket, allowing 30 of the Lions' 39 halftime points near the basket.

“I think we really needed to dig our feet in the ground and get stops,” Parrish said. “We can’t let them score 30 points in the paint in one half. It’s kind of ridiculous and we just have to be more disciplined than that.”

The Hoosiers were able to adjust at the break and force the ball outside to regain the lead.

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Fight to the finish

After a 10-0 Penn State run early in the third, Indiana had to make something happen to prevent giving up an unranked loss on their home court.

Parrish came alive and with Assembly Hall on its feet, Indiana mustered up and 11-1 run that gave the Hoosiers a lead they would not relinquish.

“That surge that Sydney had early in the second half was huge for us,” Holmes said. “Sydney is just a great player. We expect her to come in and make plays, do all the little things that not a lot of other people want to do. It was good to see that shine tonight.”

The Hoosiers commanded the final quarter of the game with strong drives to the basket and forcing fouls when the basketball would not find its way in.

What's next

Indiana heads to Iowa where they will face Caitlin Clark and the no. 3 Hawkeyes on Saturday at 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana women's basketball beats Penn State Wednesday at Assembly Hall