IU women use monster 27-6 3rd quarter to beat No. 5 Ohio State in front of record crowd

Tyler Tachman
·2 min read
6

Indiana made yet another statement on the national stage. The No. 6 Hoosiers outdueled fifth-ranked Ohio State, 78-65, in an electric Assembly Hall atmosphere Thursday night.

The Hoosiers had already beaten Tennessee, Michigan, Maryland and North Carolina this season. Thursday was just another chapter in what has been a magical season so far for the Hoosiers.

The Hoosiers improved to 19-1 overall and 9-1 in the Big Ten.

More:Nights like this are special, but not surprising. IU women's basketball is a powerhouse.

More:Yarden Garzon answers challenge in IU's statement win over No. 5 Ohio State

Third quarter surge

The Hoosiers played an extremely poor first half. Offensively, the Hoosiers struggled mightily. They shot 39.4% from the field and 12.5% from deep in the first half. Despite that, IU was able to limit the deficit to just four at the break.

Then the Hoosiers went on an incredible run in the third quarter. IU put it together on both ends of the floor, sending program record 10,455 fans into a frenzy. Indiana outscored Ohio State 27-6 in the third quarter in an absolutely dominant stretch of play. By the end of the third quarter, the Hoosiers had blown the game wide open, taking a 59-42 lead.

That impressive performance in the third quarter proved to be the difference.

Mackenzie Holmes

ndiana's Mackenzie Holmes (54) works in the post against Ohio State's Eboni Walker (22) during the first half of the Indiana versus Ohio State women's basektball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
ndiana's Mackenzie Holmes (54) works in the post against Ohio State's Eboni Walker (22) during the first half of the Indiana versus Ohio State women's basektball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Holmes was nothing short of fantastic Thursday. She finished the game with 26 points (11-of-13 shooting) and four rebounds.

She played a major role in keeping Indiana in the game during the first half, when the Hoosiers were struggling offensively. She had 18 points in the first half alone.

Holmes, who has been part of IU’s rise as a program, has been playing at an All-American level this season. Her footwork and touch around the rim is exceptional. Indiana might not have won without her on Thursday.

'This is my purpose.'Israeli freshman Yarden Garzon's quiet fire lighting it up for IU.

Yarden Garzon

Garzon didn’t look like your typical freshman Thursday night. She finished the game with 20 points, including 4-of-9 from deep. She made an impact beyond just scoring, tallying 10 rebounds and three assists.

The freshman from Israel has had a variety of impressive performances this season, playing a significant role in IU’s success. Thursday was the next iteration of stardom in her young career at IU.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana women's basketball vs. Ohio State: Hoosiers win top-10 matchup