Indiana Hoosiers Overcome Shooting Struggles to Defeat Incarnate Word

The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team secured a 69-61 victory over Incarnate Word on November 16, 2025, despite facing significant challenges with their shooting performance. The Hoosiers struggled from beyond the arc, making only five of their 24 three-point attempts (21 percent) and 18 of 26 free throws (69 percent). This marked a stark contrast to their previous games, where they had shot 48 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line. Indiana's defense played a crucial role in the win, holding Incarnate Word to just 19 points on 6-for-29 shooting in the first half, allowing the Hoosiers to build a 16-point lead.

IU basketball survives a cold 3-point shooting night, beats Incarnate Word 69-61

Forward Sam Alexis emerged as a standout player, leading Indiana with 16 points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench. His performance included four dunks, which were pivotal in maintaining the Hoosiers' lead. Senior forward Tucker DeVries praised Alexis postgame, stating, “Without him, we weren’t winning that game today. He was a beast down low.” Alexis credited his teammates, particularly Lamar Wilkerson and DeVries, for creating opportunities that allowed him to excel in the paint.

IU basketball survives a cold 3-point shooting night, beats Incarnate Word 69-61

First-year head coach Darian DeVries emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of shooting struggles. He noted that even veteran teams can experience drops in energy when shots do not fall. “You’ve got to continue to fight,” DeVries remarked, highlighting the need for a spirited and tough-minded approach throughout the game. Despite the second-half slump, where Incarnate Word outscored Indiana 42-34, DeVries expressed confidence in his team's ability to learn from the experience.

IU basketball survives a cold 3-point shooting night, beats Incarnate Word 69-61

While Indiana managed to secure the win, the performance raised concerns about their offensive consistency. The Hoosiers' shooting woes were evident as they went 2-for-11 from three-point range in the second half. Critics pointed out that the lack of ball movement contributed to the stagnant offense, leading to less effective shot opportunities. DeVries acknowledged that the 1-3-1 zone defense employed by Incarnate Word disrupted Indiana's rhythm, resulting in a less fluid offensive performance.

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Looking ahead, Indiana will face Lindenwood on November 20, 2025. The Hoosiers will need to address their shooting inefficiencies as they prepare for tougher non-conference matchups against Kansas State, No. 12 Louisville, and No. 9 Kentucky. DeVries remains optimistic, stating that overcoming nights of poor shooting is part of the growth process for the team.

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• “Without him, we weren’t winning that game today,” — Tucker DeVries, Senior Forward

IU basketball survives a cold 3-point shooting night, beats Incarnate Word 69-61

• “You’ve got to continue to fight.” — Darian DeVries, Head Coach

IU basketball survives a cold 3-point shooting night, beats Incarnate Word 69-61

• “That energy is something we have to play with.” — Darian DeVries, Head Coach

IU basketball survives a cold 3-point shooting night, beats Incarnate Word 69-61

Through this victory, the Indiana Hoosiers demonstrated their ability to adapt and rely on defense when their offense faltered, a critical lesson as they progress through the season.

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