THE OPENING TIP
Indiana will play its final road contest of the regular season at Nebraska on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET inside Pinnacle Bank Arena. The contest can be heard on the state-wide IU Radio Network with Greg Murray on the call. The contest can be watched on BTN Plus.
Indiana (18-10, 10-6) at Nebraska (17-10, 8-8)
Wednesday, Feb. 24 • 8 p.m. ET
Pinnacle Bank Arena • Lincoln, Nebraska
Live Video: BTN Plus
Radio: IU Radio Network (Greg Murray)
DID YOU KNOW?
• Indiana and Nebraska meet for the second time this season on Wednesday as the Hoosiers topped the Huskers in Assembly on Feb. 7, 59-47.
• Indiana's 10 victories in conference play are the school's most since 2008-09 and it marks the ninth time in program history that the Hoosiers have won at least 10 Big Ten regular season contests.
• The Hoosiers currently sit in a fourth place tie in the Big Ten standings with Minnesota with two conference games to play.
• With wins at Northwestern and Illinois, the Hoosiers have won their most road Big Ten games since 2010-11.
• Indiana is a perfect 13-0 in Assembly Hall this season, the program's best home start ever. IU is the only Big Ten team with an unblemished home record and one of only 17 teams nationally (as of Feb. 19) yet to lose at home.
• With 93 points in the win over Minnesota on Feb. 18, IU has tallied 90 or more points in three games this year, marking the sixth time in program history Indiana has score 90-plus points at least three times in a season and the first time since 1995-96.
• IU has twice scored over 90 in Big Ten wins this year, just the third time that has ever happened in school history and first since 1996-97.
• Indiana's 93 points in that Gopher win were the program's most points scored in a conference contest since tallying 103 vs. Minnesota in Feb. 1997.
• Indiana has defeated three ranked opponents this season, tying for the most wins over ranked foes in a single regular season in program history.
• This year marks the fourth time in program history and the first time in 18 years that Indiana has defeated three ranked opponents during regular season play. IU downed three ranked teams during the regular season schedule previously during 1985-86, 1993-94 and 1997-98.
• Sophomore Tyra Buss leads the Hoosiers in scoring (19.0 ppg), assists (4.5 apg) and steals (2.1 apg) as she has tallied 533 points this season to rank eighth on IU's single season scoring list.
• Buss has scored in double figures in every game this season and in 32 games consecutively dating back to last year, the longest such IU player streak since 1998.
• Buss leads the Big Ten in both free throw made with 175 (3rd nationally) and attempted with 225 (2nd) and needs just 13 more makes to break the school record for most free throws made in a season.
• Amanda Cahill is averaging 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in Big Ten games only this year, making her one of only three players in the conference to average those numbers in league play so far.
• Cahill has nine double-doubles on the year, the most for an IU player in a single year since 2008-09.
• Alexis Gassion has scored in double figures in each of the last five games while defending the opponent's top scorer. At Iowa last time out, she tallied 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four assists, three boards and a steal.
THE COACHES
Indiana
Teri Moren
Career Record: 232-156 (13th year)
Indiana Record: 33-26 (2nd year)
Nebraska
Connie Yori
Career Record: 474-303 (26th year)
Nebraska Record: 279-163 (14th year)
NEBRASKA AT A GLANCE
The Huskers come into Wednesday's game trying to correct a two-game losing skid, last falling to Purdue at home, 68-50, on Feb. 21. Nebraska continues to be led by freshman Jessica Shepard as she averages 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. She tallied a double-double against the Hoosiers when the teams met in Bloomington on Feb. 7. Natalie Romeo, who struggled in the first matchup without hitting a 3-pointer, averages 15.7 points per game while shooting 41.7 percent from long distance while ranking fifth in the country in 3-point field goals made (90). Rachel Theriot, who sat out Nebraska's last game, scores 10.6 points per contest while dishing out a team-best 6.7 assists per game.
MOST BIG TEN WINS IN SEVEN YEARS
Indiana sits in a tie for fourth place in the Big Ten standings with a 10-6 conference record heading into Wednesday's game. The 10 victories are the most for an IU team in Big Ten play since 2008-09 and it is the ninth time in school history that the Hoosiers have won at least 10 Big Ten regular season contests. Prior to the narrow Iowa defeat, Indiana won five games in a row, the program's longest Big Ten winning streak since 1982-83.
THE FRIENDLY CONFINES OF ASSEMBLY HALL
Indiana is a perfect 13-0 so far this season in games played inside of Assembly Hall, marking the best home start ever in program history. The Hoosiers are the only team in the Big Ten to have yet to lose at home this season and one of just 17 teams nationally without a home loss. Home wins this year have been highlighted by eight Big Ten victories, knocking off two ranked opponents, winning two games in the Preseason WNIT and defeating Georgia Tech in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
THE 90s ARE BACK
With Indiana's 93-79 triumph over Minnesota on Feb. 18, it marked the third time this year that Indiana had tallied 90 or more points in a game (90 vs. Austin Peay, 91 at Northwestern). It is only the sixth time in program history that an IU team has scored at least 90 points in three or more games in a single year (last was 1995-96). Indiana's two Big Ten games with 90-plus points marks only the third time in school history that the Hoosiers have piled on at least 90 against a conference opponent twice in the same season, the last coming during the 1996-97 season.
COMEBACK KIDS
Seven times this season, Indiana has faced late second-half deficits before overcoming them to earn a victory, including five games where IU trailed heading into the fourth quarter. Indiana has outscored Big Ten opponents 342-273 (+69) in the fourth quarter this year.
• Feb. 4 vs. Iowa*: The Hoosiers trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half before rallying to down the Hawkeyes in Assembly Hall, 79-74. Iowa led Indiana, 54-37, with under four minutes to play in the third quarter. IU outscored the Hawkeyes 42-20 in the game's final 13:19 to take the win. Trailing by 11 heading into the fourth quarter, IU hit 10-of-12 (83.3 percent) field goals in the final period, including four 3-pointers without a miss, to outscore Iowa 32-16 in the fourth quarter alone.
• Jan. 24 at No. 20 Northwestern*: Indiana faced a seven-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter on the road, 65-58. IU used a 12-2 run while shooting 12-of-16 (75 percent) in the final period to outscore the Wildcats 33-19 in the final 10 minutes to earn the program's first road Big Ten victory in the Teri Moren era.
• Jan. 20 vs. Illinois*: Indiana trailed by 11 with 7:11 to play in the fourth quarter, 62-51. The Hoosiers roared back, outscoring the Illini 17-4 in the game's final 6:55, including an 8-0 run to close the game in the final 3:09. Karlee McBride nailed the go-ahead 3-point field goal with 1:16 to play to put IU in front for good.
• Jan. 3 vs. Michigan*: IU trailed by nine with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, five Hoosiers scored as part of a 12-0 Indiana run to take a 61-58 lead late in regulation. Michigan's Katelynn Flaherty hit a 3-point field goal to force OT before IU outscored the Wolverines 16-8 in the extra period. Indiana scored 12 of its OT points from the free throw line, including the last 10. The Hoosiers outscored Michigan 28-11 in the game's final 10:48.
• Dec. 11 vs. Samford: The Hoosiers trailed by 11 with 4:00 left in the third quarter. IU went on a 17-2 run over a span of 3:56, scoring 13-straight during the stretch to take a four-point lead. In overtime, Indiana outscored Samford 13-4, thanks in part to an 8-0 run by Amanda Cahill by herself to start the OT period.
• Dec. 2 vs. Georgia Tech: Indiana trailed by five with 8:36 to play in the game. IU outscored GT 20-6 in the final 6:37 and held the Yellow Jackets scoreless for the final 4:05 of the game.
• Nov. 17 vs. then-No. 24 Chattanooga*: IU trailed by four with 1:44 left in the third quarter and was behind heading into the fourth quarter. Indiana outscored the Mocs 19-6 in the fourth quarter to take the win.
*Indiana trailed heading into the fourth quarter
THE WHEELS ON THE BUSS GO ROUND
Tyra Buss continues to excel for the Hoosiers in 2015-16. The sophomore has scored 533 points this season and sits eighth on IU's single-season scoring list. In her first two years combined, Buss has scored 895 career points to become just the eighth player in program history to ever eclipse the 800-point mark in freshman and sophomore seasons played at IU and the fourth with 895 or more points.
With her 18 points at Iowa, Buss has scored in double figures in every game this season and in 32 games consecutively dating back to last year, making her the first IU player with such a streak since Quacy Barnes scored in double digits in 37 consecutive games between the end of 1996-97 season and the start of 1997-98. Buss leads Indiana in scoring (19.0 ppg), assists (4.5 apg) and steals (2.1 spg) while playing 37.4 minutes per game (T-2nd in B1G, 16th nationally) and 1047 minutes played total (1st in B1G, 4th nationally). She also adds 5.1 rebounds per game as she's tallied 20 or more points in 13 contests.
In three games this year, Buss has achieved a double-double and just missed another in the win over Minnesota on Feb. 18. She now has four career double-double performances. Against the Gophers, her stat line read: 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals and 8-of-13 shooting.
Buss leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in free throws made (175) and second nationally in attempts (225). Her 175 free throws made is 42 more than the second-best total in the Big Ten (Kelsey Mitchell, OSU - 133). With her 10 free throws made vs. Minnesota, Buss is now third in program history for most free throws made in a single season. Her 225 free throw attempts tie for third in Indiana history for most attempts in a single season.
CLIMBING TO THE CA-HILL TOP
Amanda Cahill had 22 points (18 in the second half) and a season-high tying 14 rebounds at Iowa on Feb. 21 for her ninth double-double of the season, the most by an IU player in a single year since 2008-09 (Whitney Thomas, 10). She's had double-double performances in three of the last five games, including 15 points and 12 boards at Illinois on Feb. 10 and 16 points and 14 rebounds in the victory over Nebraska on Feb. 7.
In Big Ten games only, Cahill is averaging 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, making her one of only three players in the conference to average those numbers in league play so far. For the year, she is averaging 14.6 points (21st in B1G) and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds per game (7th) with 1.3 steals per contest.
Cahill has scored in double figures in all but three games this year, including 20 of the last 21, and has had seven or more rebounds in every game but three.
CASHING IN ON THE FREE ONES
Indiana leads the Big Ten in free throws made (451) and attempted (614) and ranks second nationally in free throw makes and fifth in attempts. IU is outscoring opponents 451-260 (+191) from the charity stripe so far this season, a plus-6.8 margin of free throws made per game. The Hoosiers have made more free throws than opponents have attempted (390) while shooting 73.5 percent as a team from the line.
Against Minnesota on Feb. 18, Indiana attempted 42 free throws to tie for the most free throw attempted in a Big Ten game in program history. IU also attempted 42 from the line in its win over Michigan on Jan. 3, hitting 32, also a school Big Ten record. IU is now 6-0 when it gets to the free throw line at least 30 times in a game. In the win over Rutgers on Jan. 27, Indiana shot a season-best 90 percent from the charity stripe, nailing 18-of-20 free throws.
HIT THE GASSION PEDAL
Junior Alexis Gassion has scored in double figures in each of the last five games while hounding the opponent's top scorer defensively for the Hoosiers. Gassion has scored in double figures in 19 games this year and is averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on the season.
At Iowa, Gassion scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four assists and a steal. In the win over Minnesota on Feb. 18, not only did Gassion have the task of guarding the Big Ten's leading scorer in Rachel Banham, she also tallied 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting with six assists, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
JENN FROM THE BLOCK
Jenn Anderson has come around after missing some time in preseason due to injury as she has started in each of the last 22 games and is shooting 57.0 percent from the field so far this year, ranking fifth in that category in the Big Ten.
Anderson achieved her first career double-double at Iowa finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Hawkeyes. She was instrumental in IU's win over Minnesota on Feb. 18 as the junior tied her season high of 18 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the field with five rebounds and a steal.
As a sophomore, Anderson ranked fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage in 2014-15, shooting 56.0 percent. Her field goal percentage was the highest percentage by an IU player for a single year since 1997-98. She appeared in 30 games and made 28 starts last year while averaging 7.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Anderson also nailed 72.1 percent of her free throw attempts. From her freshman to sophomore year, Anderson saw major improvement in scoring (+4.5 ppg), field goal percentage (+10.2 percent), free throw percentage (+25 percent) as well as rebounds, steals and blocks.
CLOSING THE DOOR
The Hoosiers have had a trend of closing the door when needed in a number of wins this year.
• Minnesota cut Indiana's lead down to three points with just over six minutes to play in Assembly Hall on Feb. 18. The Hoosiers responded with a quick 9-2 run over a 2:00 span and closed the final 5:48 of the game outscoring the Gophers 19-8 to take the 14-point win.
• In the win over Wisconsin on Feb. 14, Indiana trailed at the half after a sluggish first 20 minutes as IU shot just 30 percent in the opening half. In the third period, the Hoosiers used a 9-0 run and held Wisconsin scoreless for 6:43 to build a five-point lead and never looked back. IU outscored UW 44-28 in the second half while shooting 50 percent from the field and nailing 14-of-16 second-half free throws.
• At Illinois, the Illini crept back from a 13-point Indiana lead to pull within six points early in the fourth quarter as IU led 62-56. The Hoosiers then scored seven straight points and used an overall 14-3 run to build a 17-point lead with just over three minutes to play, putting the game out of reach.
• Indiana trailed Iowa by 17 points, 54-37, with under four minutes to play on Feb. 4 before storming back to outscore the Hawkeyes 42-20 in the game's final 13:19 to complete the comeback win. IU shot 83.3 percent (10-of-12) in the final period and outscored Iowa 32-16 in the fourth quarter alone.
• In the triumph over Rutgers on Jan. 27, the Scarlet Knights roared back into the game, cutting a 14-point halftime Indiana lead into a four-point game with 3:51 remaining in third quarter. IU would go on to outscore Rutgers 29-17 the rest of the way, including 12-2 run during the stretch during the fourth quarter.
• Indiana outscored Northwestern 33-19 in the fourth quarter on Jan. 24 using a 12-2 run during period. The Hoosiers nailed 12-of-16 field goals (75 percent) in the final period to take the road conference win.
• IU outscored Illinois 17-4 in the game's final 6:55, including an 8-0 run to end the game to upend the Illini on Jan. 20. Indiana limited Illinois to 2-of-10 from the field in the last six minutes of the game and held the Illini without a field goal for the final 3:17. IU outscored Illinois 18-10 in the fourth quarter.
• Indiana used a 12-0 run and outscored Michigan 28-11 in the final 10:34 of the game (regulation and OT) to earn a 77-69 victory in Assembly Hall on Jan. 3.
• The Hoosiers defeated Samford in overtime on Dec. 11 using a 17-2 run (including 13-straight points) late in the second half and then outscored the Bulldogs 13-4 in OT.
• IU downed Georgia Tech on Dec. 2 to give Indiana its fourth-straight win in Big Ten/ACC Challenge games. The Hoosiers closed the game with a 12-2 run over the final 4:20 of the contest, holding Georgia Tech scoreless for the final 4:05 of the game. Indiana outscored Georgia Tech 20-6 over the final 6:37 of the game. Indiana trailed by as many as five points in the fourth quarter.
• In the Austin Peay win, the Hoosiers led by only five at the half, but came out scorching in the third quarter, shooting 70.4 percent for the half and outscored the Governors in the third period alone, 34-11.
• Against then-No 24 Chattanooga on Nov. 17, IU trailed heading into the fourth quarter, but finished the game strong, using a 12-0 run to help outscore the Mocs 19-6 in the final period to earn the win.
Go Hoosiers!
http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2016/2/23/WBB_0223165645.aspx
Indiana will play its final road contest of the regular season at Nebraska on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET inside Pinnacle Bank Arena. The contest can be heard on the state-wide IU Radio Network with Greg Murray on the call. The contest can be watched on BTN Plus.
Indiana (18-10, 10-6) at Nebraska (17-10, 8-8)
Wednesday, Feb. 24 • 8 p.m. ET
Pinnacle Bank Arena • Lincoln, Nebraska
Live Video: BTN Plus
Radio: IU Radio Network (Greg Murray)
DID YOU KNOW?
• Indiana and Nebraska meet for the second time this season on Wednesday as the Hoosiers topped the Huskers in Assembly on Feb. 7, 59-47.
• Indiana's 10 victories in conference play are the school's most since 2008-09 and it marks the ninth time in program history that the Hoosiers have won at least 10 Big Ten regular season contests.
• The Hoosiers currently sit in a fourth place tie in the Big Ten standings with Minnesota with two conference games to play.
• With wins at Northwestern and Illinois, the Hoosiers have won their most road Big Ten games since 2010-11.
• Indiana is a perfect 13-0 in Assembly Hall this season, the program's best home start ever. IU is the only Big Ten team with an unblemished home record and one of only 17 teams nationally (as of Feb. 19) yet to lose at home.
• With 93 points in the win over Minnesota on Feb. 18, IU has tallied 90 or more points in three games this year, marking the sixth time in program history Indiana has score 90-plus points at least three times in a season and the first time since 1995-96.
• IU has twice scored over 90 in Big Ten wins this year, just the third time that has ever happened in school history and first since 1996-97.
• Indiana's 93 points in that Gopher win were the program's most points scored in a conference contest since tallying 103 vs. Minnesota in Feb. 1997.
• Indiana has defeated three ranked opponents this season, tying for the most wins over ranked foes in a single regular season in program history.
• This year marks the fourth time in program history and the first time in 18 years that Indiana has defeated three ranked opponents during regular season play. IU downed three ranked teams during the regular season schedule previously during 1985-86, 1993-94 and 1997-98.
• Sophomore Tyra Buss leads the Hoosiers in scoring (19.0 ppg), assists (4.5 apg) and steals (2.1 apg) as she has tallied 533 points this season to rank eighth on IU's single season scoring list.
• Buss has scored in double figures in every game this season and in 32 games consecutively dating back to last year, the longest such IU player streak since 1998.
• Buss leads the Big Ten in both free throw made with 175 (3rd nationally) and attempted with 225 (2nd) and needs just 13 more makes to break the school record for most free throws made in a season.
• Amanda Cahill is averaging 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in Big Ten games only this year, making her one of only three players in the conference to average those numbers in league play so far.
• Cahill has nine double-doubles on the year, the most for an IU player in a single year since 2008-09.
• Alexis Gassion has scored in double figures in each of the last five games while defending the opponent's top scorer. At Iowa last time out, she tallied 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four assists, three boards and a steal.
THE COACHES
Indiana
Teri Moren
Career Record: 232-156 (13th year)
Indiana Record: 33-26 (2nd year)
Nebraska
Connie Yori
Career Record: 474-303 (26th year)
Nebraska Record: 279-163 (14th year)
NEBRASKA AT A GLANCE
The Huskers come into Wednesday's game trying to correct a two-game losing skid, last falling to Purdue at home, 68-50, on Feb. 21. Nebraska continues to be led by freshman Jessica Shepard as she averages 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. She tallied a double-double against the Hoosiers when the teams met in Bloomington on Feb. 7. Natalie Romeo, who struggled in the first matchup without hitting a 3-pointer, averages 15.7 points per game while shooting 41.7 percent from long distance while ranking fifth in the country in 3-point field goals made (90). Rachel Theriot, who sat out Nebraska's last game, scores 10.6 points per contest while dishing out a team-best 6.7 assists per game.
MOST BIG TEN WINS IN SEVEN YEARS
Indiana sits in a tie for fourth place in the Big Ten standings with a 10-6 conference record heading into Wednesday's game. The 10 victories are the most for an IU team in Big Ten play since 2008-09 and it is the ninth time in school history that the Hoosiers have won at least 10 Big Ten regular season contests. Prior to the narrow Iowa defeat, Indiana won five games in a row, the program's longest Big Ten winning streak since 1982-83.
THE FRIENDLY CONFINES OF ASSEMBLY HALL
Indiana is a perfect 13-0 so far this season in games played inside of Assembly Hall, marking the best home start ever in program history. The Hoosiers are the only team in the Big Ten to have yet to lose at home this season and one of just 17 teams nationally without a home loss. Home wins this year have been highlighted by eight Big Ten victories, knocking off two ranked opponents, winning two games in the Preseason WNIT and defeating Georgia Tech in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
THE 90s ARE BACK
With Indiana's 93-79 triumph over Minnesota on Feb. 18, it marked the third time this year that Indiana had tallied 90 or more points in a game (90 vs. Austin Peay, 91 at Northwestern). It is only the sixth time in program history that an IU team has scored at least 90 points in three or more games in a single year (last was 1995-96). Indiana's two Big Ten games with 90-plus points marks only the third time in school history that the Hoosiers have piled on at least 90 against a conference opponent twice in the same season, the last coming during the 1996-97 season.
COMEBACK KIDS
Seven times this season, Indiana has faced late second-half deficits before overcoming them to earn a victory, including five games where IU trailed heading into the fourth quarter. Indiana has outscored Big Ten opponents 342-273 (+69) in the fourth quarter this year.
• Feb. 4 vs. Iowa*: The Hoosiers trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half before rallying to down the Hawkeyes in Assembly Hall, 79-74. Iowa led Indiana, 54-37, with under four minutes to play in the third quarter. IU outscored the Hawkeyes 42-20 in the game's final 13:19 to take the win. Trailing by 11 heading into the fourth quarter, IU hit 10-of-12 (83.3 percent) field goals in the final period, including four 3-pointers without a miss, to outscore Iowa 32-16 in the fourth quarter alone.
• Jan. 24 at No. 20 Northwestern*: Indiana faced a seven-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter on the road, 65-58. IU used a 12-2 run while shooting 12-of-16 (75 percent) in the final period to outscore the Wildcats 33-19 in the final 10 minutes to earn the program's first road Big Ten victory in the Teri Moren era.
• Jan. 20 vs. Illinois*: Indiana trailed by 11 with 7:11 to play in the fourth quarter, 62-51. The Hoosiers roared back, outscoring the Illini 17-4 in the game's final 6:55, including an 8-0 run to close the game in the final 3:09. Karlee McBride nailed the go-ahead 3-point field goal with 1:16 to play to put IU in front for good.
• Jan. 3 vs. Michigan*: IU trailed by nine with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, five Hoosiers scored as part of a 12-0 Indiana run to take a 61-58 lead late in regulation. Michigan's Katelynn Flaherty hit a 3-point field goal to force OT before IU outscored the Wolverines 16-8 in the extra period. Indiana scored 12 of its OT points from the free throw line, including the last 10. The Hoosiers outscored Michigan 28-11 in the game's final 10:48.
• Dec. 11 vs. Samford: The Hoosiers trailed by 11 with 4:00 left in the third quarter. IU went on a 17-2 run over a span of 3:56, scoring 13-straight during the stretch to take a four-point lead. In overtime, Indiana outscored Samford 13-4, thanks in part to an 8-0 run by Amanda Cahill by herself to start the OT period.
• Dec. 2 vs. Georgia Tech: Indiana trailed by five with 8:36 to play in the game. IU outscored GT 20-6 in the final 6:37 and held the Yellow Jackets scoreless for the final 4:05 of the game.
• Nov. 17 vs. then-No. 24 Chattanooga*: IU trailed by four with 1:44 left in the third quarter and was behind heading into the fourth quarter. Indiana outscored the Mocs 19-6 in the fourth quarter to take the win.
*Indiana trailed heading into the fourth quarter
THE WHEELS ON THE BUSS GO ROUND
Tyra Buss continues to excel for the Hoosiers in 2015-16. The sophomore has scored 533 points this season and sits eighth on IU's single-season scoring list. In her first two years combined, Buss has scored 895 career points to become just the eighth player in program history to ever eclipse the 800-point mark in freshman and sophomore seasons played at IU and the fourth with 895 or more points.
With her 18 points at Iowa, Buss has scored in double figures in every game this season and in 32 games consecutively dating back to last year, making her the first IU player with such a streak since Quacy Barnes scored in double digits in 37 consecutive games between the end of 1996-97 season and the start of 1997-98. Buss leads Indiana in scoring (19.0 ppg), assists (4.5 apg) and steals (2.1 spg) while playing 37.4 minutes per game (T-2nd in B1G, 16th nationally) and 1047 minutes played total (1st in B1G, 4th nationally). She also adds 5.1 rebounds per game as she's tallied 20 or more points in 13 contests.
In three games this year, Buss has achieved a double-double and just missed another in the win over Minnesota on Feb. 18. She now has four career double-double performances. Against the Gophers, her stat line read: 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals and 8-of-13 shooting.
Buss leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in free throws made (175) and second nationally in attempts (225). Her 175 free throws made is 42 more than the second-best total in the Big Ten (Kelsey Mitchell, OSU - 133). With her 10 free throws made vs. Minnesota, Buss is now third in program history for most free throws made in a single season. Her 225 free throw attempts tie for third in Indiana history for most attempts in a single season.
CLIMBING TO THE CA-HILL TOP
Amanda Cahill had 22 points (18 in the second half) and a season-high tying 14 rebounds at Iowa on Feb. 21 for her ninth double-double of the season, the most by an IU player in a single year since 2008-09 (Whitney Thomas, 10). She's had double-double performances in three of the last five games, including 15 points and 12 boards at Illinois on Feb. 10 and 16 points and 14 rebounds in the victory over Nebraska on Feb. 7.
In Big Ten games only, Cahill is averaging 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, making her one of only three players in the conference to average those numbers in league play so far. For the year, she is averaging 14.6 points (21st in B1G) and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds per game (7th) with 1.3 steals per contest.
Cahill has scored in double figures in all but three games this year, including 20 of the last 21, and has had seven or more rebounds in every game but three.
CASHING IN ON THE FREE ONES
Indiana leads the Big Ten in free throws made (451) and attempted (614) and ranks second nationally in free throw makes and fifth in attempts. IU is outscoring opponents 451-260 (+191) from the charity stripe so far this season, a plus-6.8 margin of free throws made per game. The Hoosiers have made more free throws than opponents have attempted (390) while shooting 73.5 percent as a team from the line.
Against Minnesota on Feb. 18, Indiana attempted 42 free throws to tie for the most free throw attempted in a Big Ten game in program history. IU also attempted 42 from the line in its win over Michigan on Jan. 3, hitting 32, also a school Big Ten record. IU is now 6-0 when it gets to the free throw line at least 30 times in a game. In the win over Rutgers on Jan. 27, Indiana shot a season-best 90 percent from the charity stripe, nailing 18-of-20 free throws.
HIT THE GASSION PEDAL
Junior Alexis Gassion has scored in double figures in each of the last five games while hounding the opponent's top scorer defensively for the Hoosiers. Gassion has scored in double figures in 19 games this year and is averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on the season.
At Iowa, Gassion scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four assists and a steal. In the win over Minnesota on Feb. 18, not only did Gassion have the task of guarding the Big Ten's leading scorer in Rachel Banham, she also tallied 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting with six assists, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
JENN FROM THE BLOCK
Jenn Anderson has come around after missing some time in preseason due to injury as she has started in each of the last 22 games and is shooting 57.0 percent from the field so far this year, ranking fifth in that category in the Big Ten.
Anderson achieved her first career double-double at Iowa finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Hawkeyes. She was instrumental in IU's win over Minnesota on Feb. 18 as the junior tied her season high of 18 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the field with five rebounds and a steal.
As a sophomore, Anderson ranked fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage in 2014-15, shooting 56.0 percent. Her field goal percentage was the highest percentage by an IU player for a single year since 1997-98. She appeared in 30 games and made 28 starts last year while averaging 7.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Anderson also nailed 72.1 percent of her free throw attempts. From her freshman to sophomore year, Anderson saw major improvement in scoring (+4.5 ppg), field goal percentage (+10.2 percent), free throw percentage (+25 percent) as well as rebounds, steals and blocks.
CLOSING THE DOOR
The Hoosiers have had a trend of closing the door when needed in a number of wins this year.
• Minnesota cut Indiana's lead down to three points with just over six minutes to play in Assembly Hall on Feb. 18. The Hoosiers responded with a quick 9-2 run over a 2:00 span and closed the final 5:48 of the game outscoring the Gophers 19-8 to take the 14-point win.
• In the win over Wisconsin on Feb. 14, Indiana trailed at the half after a sluggish first 20 minutes as IU shot just 30 percent in the opening half. In the third period, the Hoosiers used a 9-0 run and held Wisconsin scoreless for 6:43 to build a five-point lead and never looked back. IU outscored UW 44-28 in the second half while shooting 50 percent from the field and nailing 14-of-16 second-half free throws.
• At Illinois, the Illini crept back from a 13-point Indiana lead to pull within six points early in the fourth quarter as IU led 62-56. The Hoosiers then scored seven straight points and used an overall 14-3 run to build a 17-point lead with just over three minutes to play, putting the game out of reach.
• Indiana trailed Iowa by 17 points, 54-37, with under four minutes to play on Feb. 4 before storming back to outscore the Hawkeyes 42-20 in the game's final 13:19 to complete the comeback win. IU shot 83.3 percent (10-of-12) in the final period and outscored Iowa 32-16 in the fourth quarter alone.
• In the triumph over Rutgers on Jan. 27, the Scarlet Knights roared back into the game, cutting a 14-point halftime Indiana lead into a four-point game with 3:51 remaining in third quarter. IU would go on to outscore Rutgers 29-17 the rest of the way, including 12-2 run during the stretch during the fourth quarter.
• Indiana outscored Northwestern 33-19 in the fourth quarter on Jan. 24 using a 12-2 run during period. The Hoosiers nailed 12-of-16 field goals (75 percent) in the final period to take the road conference win.
• IU outscored Illinois 17-4 in the game's final 6:55, including an 8-0 run to end the game to upend the Illini on Jan. 20. Indiana limited Illinois to 2-of-10 from the field in the last six minutes of the game and held the Illini without a field goal for the final 3:17. IU outscored Illinois 18-10 in the fourth quarter.
• Indiana used a 12-0 run and outscored Michigan 28-11 in the final 10:34 of the game (regulation and OT) to earn a 77-69 victory in Assembly Hall on Jan. 3.
• The Hoosiers defeated Samford in overtime on Dec. 11 using a 17-2 run (including 13-straight points) late in the second half and then outscored the Bulldogs 13-4 in OT.
• IU downed Georgia Tech on Dec. 2 to give Indiana its fourth-straight win in Big Ten/ACC Challenge games. The Hoosiers closed the game with a 12-2 run over the final 4:20 of the contest, holding Georgia Tech scoreless for the final 4:05 of the game. Indiana outscored Georgia Tech 20-6 over the final 6:37 of the game. Indiana trailed by as many as five points in the fourth quarter.
• In the Austin Peay win, the Hoosiers led by only five at the half, but came out scorching in the third quarter, shooting 70.4 percent for the half and outscored the Governors in the third period alone, 34-11.
• Against then-No 24 Chattanooga on Nov. 17, IU trailed heading into the fourth quarter, but finished the game strong, using a 12-0 run to help outscore the Mocs 19-6 in the final period to earn the win.
Go Hoosiers!
http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2016/2/23/WBB_0223165645.aspx
