Behind a 26-point performance from senior guard Bryce Lindsay, Indiana men’s basketball defeated the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 76-58 on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Cream and Crimson are now 2-0 in exhibition play.
North Carolina jumped out to an early 6-2 lead before Indiana responded with six unanswered points heading into the first media timeout.
After the Hoosiers started 2 for 7 from the field, junior guard Darren Harris converted back-to-back three-pointers to give Indiana a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Lindsay also drilled a long-range shot to extend Indiana’s lead to five points with 12:49 remaining in the first half.
North Carolina responded, cutting the deficit to 23-21 at the under eight-minute media timeout. Then, the Hoosiers went on a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 11 and forcing North Carolina head coach Michael Malone to call a timeout. During the run, the Tarheels didn’t score for four minutes and 18 seconds and committed three turnovers.
Despite shooting just 38% from the field compared to North Carolina’s 39%, the Hoosiers entered halftime with a 41-29 lead. Indiana held a 27-14 rebounding advantage and capitalized on 10 second-chance points with 11 points off turnovers.
In the first half, Lindsay paced the Hoosiers with 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting and two threes. Junior forward Aiden Sherrell tallied seven points, four rebounds and two assists.
Indiana senior guard Markus Burton made a three-pointer to start the second half. On the Hoosiers' next possession, Lindsay hit a stepback two-pointer from the right-wing to put the Hoosiers ahead by 17.
However, North Carolina answered with nine consecutive points. Indiana made just four shots during the first 10 minutes and three seconds of the second half. Yet, the Hoosiers didn’t allow their lead to go below eight points.
Coming out of the under-eight timeout, the Hoosiers scored eight unanswered. Fifth-year forward Sam Alexis finished a second-chance layup before Lindsay hit back-to-back three-pointers.
Indiana continued to run away with the contest, outscoring North Carolina 35-29 in the second half. Ultimately, the Hoosiers defeated the Tarheels 76-58.
After a 25-point and 10-rebound performance in North Carolina’s opening exhibition against USC, senior forward Jarin Stevenson had just three points and three rebounds on 1 for 7 shooting Sunday. As a team, the Tarheels shot 35%.
While Indiana shot 36%, the Hoosiers held a 17-7 advantage in made free throws. Indiana had 22 more rebounds than North Carolina and forced 15 Tarheel turnovers, turning into seven Hoosier fastbreak points.
The Hoosiers finish their exhibition slate at 4 p.m. Oct. 25, squaring off against Western Kentucky University at Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. The contest will be streamed on Big Ten+.
Follow reporters Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) and Kasey Watkins (@KaseyWatki87731 and kaslwatk@iu.edu) and columnist Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
