Indiana Defeats Kansas State 86-69 in Thrilling Finish
Indiana University treated its home crowd to an impressive performance as they defeated Kansas State 86-69 at Assembly Hall. The victory marked the Hoosiers’ sixth consecutive win under head coach Darian DeVries, showcasing a solid combination of offensive depth and defensive tenacity.
Game Overview
The contest began with Indiana establishing an early lead. By the first media timeout, they were ahead 12-4, demonstrating efficient ball movement and tight defense. With additional three-pointers from Trent Sisley and Tayton Conerway, Indiana escalated their lead to 20-4 by the second media timeout.
Kansas State responded with a run of their own, scoring 10 unanswered points to close the gap to 20-14. They continued to pressure Indiana and eventually cut the lead to just two points on multiple occasions. However, Indiana ended the first half strong, finishing with a 13-3 run to lead 39-27 at halftime. Notably, Indiana’s defense restricted Kansas State to a mere 33.3% shooting and just 0.69 points per possession.
Key Performers
- Lamar Wilkerson: 14 points
- Trent Sisley: 12 points
- Tayton Conerway: 19 points
- Reed Bailey: 21 points (13-for-15 free throws)
Second Half Surge
The Hoosiers continued their dominance in the second half. A 10-2 run extended their lead to 49-29, prompting Kansas State to call a timeout. Reed Bailey was instrumental during this stretch, contributing six points.
Despite Kansas State’s efforts to claw back into the game, they could not cut the lead significantly. Even after narrowing the gap to 67-57, Conerway’s three-point play invoked a strong response, pushing the lead back to 70-57. As the game progressed, Indiana maintained its advantage, with Wilkerson hitting a key three-pointer that brought the lead to 23 points as they cruised toward victory.
Defensive Dominance
Indiana’s defense was outstanding, limiting Kansas State to a season-low 0.91 points per possession. This effort underpinned their success on both ends of the court, allowing for a balanced offensive performance alongside formidable defensive pressure.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, Indiana will close out its five-game home stretch with a matchup against Bethune Cookman. This game is scheduled for Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, with a tipoff set for 12 p.m. ET on BTN.
Kansas State, now with a record of 2-5, is seeking to bounce back from consecutive losses against Jacksonville and Stony Brook.
