N Kentucky defeats IU Indy 81-72
N Kentucky Edges IU Indy in Thrilling Conference Showdown
The Truist Arena was electric on Saturday night as No. 24-ranked Northern Kentucky (NKU) took down Indiana University-Indianapolis (IU Indy) by a score of 81-72, handing the road-weary Hawgs their first conference loss of the season.
The Comeback Kid
Trailing by four points at halftime, NKU erased the deficit with remarkable efficiency in the second half. The home crowd's energy proved to be just what the Hilltoppers needed, as they stormed back with a 10-0 run midway through the period. By the end of the contest, NKU had outscored IU Indy by nine points, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Leading Performers
Donovan Oday led all scorers for NKU with 18 points on 2-of-6 three-point shooting, while LJ Wells chipped in with nine rebounds, 14 points, and two assists. Ethan Elliott dished out seven assists, contributing to the Hilltoppers' overall strong team effort.
For IU Indy, Kyler D'Augustino paced his team with 20 points on 2-of-8 three-point shooting, while Finley Woodward added ten points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Advanced Statistics
The advanced statistics paint a nuanced picture of this hard-fought conference game. NKU's strong rebounding effort (29 total, including nine on the offensive glass) allowed them to outlast IU Indy in the paint, where they scored 30 points compared to their opponents' 30. The Hilltoppers also shot an impressive 60.0% from the field and committed just 11 turnovers.
On the other hand, IU Indy struggled with efficiency, shooting just 44.0% overall and committing 15 turnovers. Despite these struggles, they still managed to shoot a respectable 54.0% from beyond the arc.
Final Thoughts
This win marks NKU's third straight conference victory, propelling them closer to the top of the standings in the process. Meanwhile, IU Indy falls to 4-2 in conference play and must bounce back against their next opponent. The Hilltoppers' strong performance highlights the competitiveness of the conference this season, with several teams capable of pulling off upsets on any given night.