The quarter started with a 12-point IU lead that dwindled to two as the Hoosiers scored just five points in response to the Sycamores’ press defense, which lead to a final ISU shot that decided the game.
Even though IU got the win Tuesday, Moren said IU will look to avoid that type of a quarter against Samford on Friday night in Assembly Hall by running the ball more than it did against ISU.
“We are at our best when we’re running,” Moren said. “When Tyra (Buss) is pushing the tempo and we have hit-aheads. There’s no question.”
Moren said it starts with Buss, the sophomore point guard, handling the offense with a faster pace and taking charge with the ball.
While the guard had a team-high 15 points, she only made two field goals inside the arc and only attempted two free throws in 38 minutes of play. Moren said the team needs Buss to run to the ball, not away from it, and attack the basket against Samford, which has the third-best defense in the country.
The team turned the ball over 18 times against Indiana State on Tuesday — along with 23 and 21 turnovers against DePaul and Ohio.
Buss said she and Moren met to watch film and talk about how she needs to bring the team together on the court when it starts to commit turnovers and begins to lose focus, something Moren said the sophomore failed to do at ISU.
“They press us a little bit and we lose our minds,” Moren said. “That’s where Tyra Buss has to make sure that everybody knows what their responsibilities are and everyone knows where they need to be. We can only do so much on the sidelines. We need that leadership on the court.”
Moren also said the team needs to push the ball to the inside on post-entry passes, something IU was working on earlier in the season. However, Buss said the team missed several opportunities to get it inside to sophomore forward Amanda Cahill and junior center Jenn Anderson.
Failing to get the ball inside resulted in fewer chances at the free throw line. The Hoosiers took only nine free throws; they averaged 22 per game in the previous seven games, Moren said.
That comes with attacking the post, Buss said, especially when there are no open shots on the perimeter against a team that allows just 30-percent three-point shooting.
“When you don’t have an open shot, you just have to take it to the basket,” Buss said. “Coach said she wants us to take high-percentage shots and like it when we drive to the basket.”
After watching film, Moren and Buss said regardless of the way the team played, it still got the win in Terre Haute, Indiana, but being back in Assembly Hall will help IU regroup and retain its offensive press play.
“Even though it was ugly, it’s still a win,” Buss said. “We got the road win, and now we’re back here tomorrow and we’re excited to be here.”
