Hoosiers win final exhibition game

The IU women's basketball team survived early foul trouble and relied on strong defensive play to win its second and final exhibition game Monday night.\nThe Hoosiers defeated Northern Kentucky University 74-61 at Assembly Hall, a much closer deficit than the Hoosiers enjoyed during their 66-35 win in their first exhibition game Friday night against the University of Indianapolis.\n"Our young team beat somebody today," IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. "Northern Kentucky's a fantastic team with a well-seasoned coach, who in my opinion could be a future Hall of Fame coach."\nThe Hoosiers found themselves in foul trouble early in the first half when three of their starters -- senior guard Leah Enterline, senior forward Carrie Smith and sophomore forward Whitney Thomas -- recorded two fouls each with 13:42 remaining until the half. By halftime, the other two IU starters -- sophomore forward Kimberly Roberson and junior guard Nikki Smith -- were also playing with two fouls. In total, the Hoosiers committed 12 personal fouls in the first half, while the Norse scored 13 of their 26 first-half points from the charity stripe.\n"That was a blessing in our opinion because it gave an opportunity to expose our bench a little bit," Legette-Jack said. "It allowed them to get the minutes that they deserved and to see what they can do with those minutes."\nWith time running out in the first half, Northern Kentucky guard Nicole Chiodi took a running shot from the half court line as the buzzer sounded. The ball sailed in, and the Norse took a 26-24 lead heading into the break.\nA stifling defense kept the Hoosiers in the game in the first half as IU was able to get six steals and block seven NKU shots, including four blocks by senior center Sarah McKay coming off the bench.\nThe second half went back and forth for the first four minutes as both teams traded baskets with the game tied at 32. But with 15:45 left in the game, Thomas made a shot as she was fouled and made the ensuing free throw. From there on, the Hoosiers took control of the game, going on a 13-2 run following Thomas's free throw to take a 48-34 lead.\n"We're a passionate team; the head coach is passionate, and they got to play with passion," Leggete-Jack said. \nThree Hoosiers scored in double figures against the Norse. Freshman Jamie Braun, who scored 12 points in her IU debut Friday, led the Hoosiers with 14 points in just her second game with the Hoosiers.\n"If I keep going out there and shooting when I have the open shots, when they fall then I think I could have a successful time throughout the rest of the year," Braun said.\nIn addition to Braun, Carrie Smith tallied 10 points, and Nikki Smith scored 13.\n"I just went out there and played hard, and things just happened the way that they did," Nikki Smith said. "It started out just kind of a fast-paced game, and I just took it to the basket."\nThe Hoosiers pick up again Friday night in Lexington, Ky., when they face Wake Forest University in the Women's Sports Foundation Classic.