Indiana 69, Florida Gulf Coast 63 at the buzzer.

Indiana 69, Florida Gulf Coast 63 at the buzzer.

Following a spirited outing against NAIA Marian on Friday evening, Indiana’s offense got off to a sluggish start toward Florida Gulf Coast.

In the first twenty minutes, the Hoosiers nearly attempted the same number of free throws (18) to be field goals (20) due to their lack of offensive fluidity.

To Indiana’s detriment, the attempts were failing to fall off the line. The Hoosiers had a poor 10-for-18 performance from the arc at halftime.

Indiana endured a number of extended scoring droughts within the opening half, one of which exceeded seven minutes in duration.

In seventeen minutes, Kel’el Ware was a shining example with eight points, eight rebounds, as well as three blocked shots.

Indiana allowed the Eagles to make five three-pointers while limiting them to 0.82 points per possession on defense.

Indiana began the second half more effectively offensively, accumulating ten points in the first forty-four seconds to take the lead for good at 38-34. Malik Reneau contributed six of the ten points.

With 13:52 remaining, Florida Gulf Coast responded with back-to-back 3-pointers that tied the game at 40.

With 10:54 remaining, the Eagles extended their lead to six points on an Dallion Johnson three-pointer.

However, Indiana responded with a 10-0 run with 8:41 remaining to take a 52-48 lead, compelling Pat Chambers to call a timeout.

With 5:52 remaining, Florida Gulf Coast tallied on a floater by Johnson, extending the lead to 14 points.

With 3:58 remaining, the Hoosiers extended their lead to eleven on a Gabe Cupps three-pointer. Despite this, the Florida coastline did not surrender.

A 42-second, 8-0 surge by the Eagles brought them within two points at 65-63. With 28.2 seconds remaining, Xavier Johnson converted one free throw to give Iu a 66-63 lead.

Chase Johnston’s missed 3-point attempt for Florida Gulf Coast prompted Johnson to return to the line and convert a pair for the Hoosiers, who led 68-63.

With 28.2 seconds remaining, Xavier Johnson converted one of two free throws to increase Indiana’s lead to 66-63.

Chase Johnston missed the rim on a 3-point attempt from the corner for FGCU, which resulted in the Eagles being called for a penalty while vying for the rebound. Johnson made two free throws to secure the deal.

For Indiana, Reneau contributed 15 points, while Johnson, making his return to action after an absence of one month, concluded with 14 points. A 7-foot-2 center, Ware is seeking a fresh start following a lackluster campaign at Oregon.

Despite going over seven minutes without a field goal within the first half, Indiana maintained a 28-26 lead.

Additionally, the Hoosiers had difficulty on the free-throw line, converting only 10 of 18. FGCU made five of its ten field goals in the first half from three-point range.

Zach Anderson scored 19 points to lead FGCU. Dallion Johnson, whose averaged 2.0 points per game for Penn State in 2022–23, contributed an additional 17 points on the night via five 3-pointers.

The issue is that he was sidelined for extended periods of time on Tuesday night due to disciplinary trouble, when Indiana might have used his services.

During the first forty seconds for the second half, he scored six points, all of which were made at the rim.

However, at 15:34 of the game, he committed his third penalty and was unable to return till five minutes later.

A field goal drought of nearly eight minutes in the first half was snapped when Xavier Johnson drove to the rim and dipped in a floater.

They subsequently endured a field goal stalemate that extended for over four minutes during the second half.

Woodson’s squad encountered difficulties in advancing the ball during transition, generated minimal output from its reserves, and committed six errors in turnover.

Florida Gulf Coast’s physicality, which frequently forced Indiana to the free throw line, was the savior.

The Hoosiers entered the double extra with over seven minutes remaining in the half, despite having a 10-of-18 record.