Indiana women’s basketball closed its nonconference slate Sunday afternoon against Western Carolina University, cruising past the Catamounts for a 71-44 victory inside Bloomington’s Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
With the win, Indiana finished 11-1 against its nonconference opponents, with its lone nonconference loss coming against then-No.10 Iowa State University on Nov. 30.
Senior guard Shay Ciezki led Indiana in scoring with 17 points. Redshirt sophomore guard Lenée Beaumont recorded 14 points off 4-for-5 shooting from the field and making all three of her 3-point attempts.
Indiana got out to a quick start, getting defensive stops on the Catamounts' first five possessions and scoring five points on two of its first three possessions.
Western Carolina scored four straight points, but a 3-pointer from Beaumont reestablished a four-point lead for Indiana, which the Hoosiers continued to grow throughout the first quarter. They held a commanding 22-8 lead over the Catamounts after the first period.
After holding Western Carolina to just eight points in the first quarter, Indiana continued its strong defense into the second period. The Hoosiers held the Catamounts to just five second-quarter points, while continuing to score to take a 40-13 halftime lead.
Ciezki and sophomore guard Phoenix Stotijn lead Indiana in scoring at the break, each recording 10 points. Stotijn went 4 for 6 from the field in the first half, while Ciezki was 3 for 6. The Hoosiers held the Catamounts to just 21% shooting from the field and just 10% from 3-point range, while Western Carolina racked up 13 turnovers before halftime.
Western Carolina started to find some offensive rhythm after the break, scoring 10 points in the first half of the third period, but it wasn’t enough to cut into Indiana’s lead. The Hoosiers continued to extend their advantage over the Catamounts, outscoring them 22-18, led by Beaumont’s eight points in the third period.
Despite allowing the Catamounts to outscore the Hoosiers 13-9 in the fourth quarter, Indiana largely cruised to its 27-point victory over Western Carolina.
Indiana has over a week before it resumes Big Ten play against Minnesota at 6 p.m. Dec. 29 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The contest will stream on Big Ten+.
Follow reporters Savannah Slone (@savrivers06 and srslone@iu.edu) and Max Schneider (maxschn@iu.edu) and columnist Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
