Hoosiers capitalize on Iowa's turnovers in 77-64 victory
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -- Collin Hartman dug in Monday night and gave the Indiana Hoosiers everything they needed.
He scored 13 points, played defense and helped spur two decisive runs.
On a night Juwan Morgan scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, it was Hartman's continual plays that finally allowed the Hoosiers to pull away for a 77-64 victory over Iowa.
"That lineup with him and Juwan was a really big key in the first half and I thought it was a really big key in the second half of regrouping us," coach Archie Miller said. "I give him a lot of credit in terms of his spunk, his attitude."
Hartman, a fifth-year senior, was a key player on Indiana's Big Ten championship team two years ago.
But after missing all of last season with an injured left knee and the first five games this season with ankle and groin injuries, Hartman finally got a chance to show what he could still do when healthy.
He made 4 of 9 from the field, was 3 of 6 on 3-pointers, grabbed five rebounds, had two assists and one steal to help the Hoosiers (5-4, 1-1) snap a two-game losing streak and give Miller his first conference win.
"I think we are coming together as a team, learning from film sessions," Hartman said. "And I think a lot of guys are buying in and part of that is the older guys (buying in)."
Hartman had plenty of help.
Morgan finished with his second double-double in six games, De'Ron Davis added 13 points and Devonte Green had 12 points and four assists.
But the difference was defense.
Indiana forced Iowa (4-5, 0-2) into a season-high 18 turnovers and routinely turned the miscues into points.
The Hoosiers forced six turnovers in less than 5 minutes, breaking a 20-20 tie with 14 straight points.
Iowa charged back from a 41-26 halftime deficit with a 13-1 spurt early in the second half to close to 43-42.
But the Hoosiers refused to let the Hawkeyes tie the score or take the lead and eventually regained control thanks to more Hawkeyes mistakes. Indiana turned those into an 18-0 run that made it 71-50 with 7:15 left in the game.
"We missed some shots, the big turnover there after the one timeout, that was a big play in the game I thought," Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said. "They kept the pressure on. We had some consecutive misses and they run on those pretty well."
The Hawkeyes never challenged again and wound up losing their third straight.
Brady Ellingson had 16 points and Jack Nunge had 12 to lead Iowa.
BIG PICTURE
Iowa: The struggles continue for McCaffrey's young team, which has now lost two winnable conference games -- at home against Penn State and at Indiana. This time, there were three major problems -- turnovers, foul trouble and poor shooting. They have to find a solution for all three.
Indiana: Yes, Indiana got a double-digit win and fought through some adversity to improve to 5-2 at home. But it sure wasn't pretty nor was it as easy as the final score indicated. And this is a team that is not a finished product on offense yet.
KEY NUMBERS
Iowa: The Hawkeyes scored 14 points in the final 13:05 and shot just 38.5 percent from the field. ... Although Iowa was 10 of 24 on 3s, it also was outscored 36-26 in the paint. ... The Hawkeyes were 4 of 9 at the free-throw line while the Hoosiers were 15 of 23.
Indiana: Was 8 of 21 on 3s and had a 47-42 rebounding advantage. ... Davis finished with four blocks. ... Indiana had 11 steals and finished with 10 turnovers after committing seven in the first half.
THE REUNION
Indiana celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bob Knight's last Final Four team on Monday.
Among those returning to campus for the festivities were three Indiana natives -- Calbert Cheaney, the Big Ten's career scoring leader; Alan Henderson, Indiana's career rebounding leader; and Damon Bailey, one of the Hoosiers' best-known players. Knight, as has become customary, did not attend.
It didn't really seem to matter.
"We want to thank the fans, because without you Indiana basketball wouldn't be what it is today," Cheaney told the crowd. "Now let's go get this win."
UP NEXT
Iowa: Heads to Ames, Iowa on Thursday where it faces in-state rival Iowa State.
Indiana: Will get a short break before visiting Louisville on Saturday.