Indiana University men’s basketball delivered a dominant second-half performance on Friday night, rallying from a halftime deficit to defeat Eastern Illinois by 35 points in a decisive 85-50 victory. After struggling in the opening 20 minutes, the Hoosiers exploded in the second half, showing their offensive depth and defensive intensity to pull away from the Panthers in front of a raucous home crowd at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

 

The game began with a sluggish start for the Hoosiers, who found themselves in an unfamiliar position, trailing 32-31 at the break. Despite Indiana’s high expectations and the presence of a potent roster, Eastern Illinois played a disciplined and efficient first half. The Panthers, led by guard Josh Tunstill, kept the game close, using solid shooting and ball movement to create open looks. Indiana’s defense, usually a strength, appeared out of sync, allowing Eastern Illinois to exploit mismatches and find gaps in their rotation.

 

At halftime, the Hoosiers knew they had to adjust if they wanted to avoid an embarrassing upset. Head coach Mike Woodson made it clear that his team’s defensive effort would need to improve, and adjustments on offense were necessary to break down Eastern Illinois’ zone defense. His halftime speech was a reminder to his players of the expectations and the urgency required to win games at this level.

 

The second half began with a noticeable change in Indiana’s intensity. Junior guard Xavier Johnson took command, leading the Hoosiers with assertiveness. Johnson scored 10 of his game-high 17 points in the first few minutes of the second half, quickly erasing the halftime deficit and giving Indiana a 42-35 lead. His ability to drive to the basket and set up teammates with pinpoint passes proved to be a game-changer, forcing Eastern Illinois to collapse their defense and leaving shooters like Jalen Hood-Schifino and Miller Kopp open for outside shots.

 

Indiana’s offense became a well-oiled machine, as they went on an 18-0 run to turn a slim 1-point advantage into an insurmountable 19-point lead. Hood-Schifino, a highly touted freshman, displayed his all-around scoring ability, contributing 12 points, including a series of long-range three-pointers that ignited the crowd. Kopp, the senior sharpshooter, also found his rhythm, adding 14 points, including a pair of crucial threes during the second-half run. The Hoosiers’ ability to hit outside shots complemented their inside game, where Trayce Jackson-Davis dominated the paint with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

 

While the offense clicked, the defense was equally impressive in the second half. Indiana, which had struggled to contain Eastern Illinois’ ball movement in the first half, made the necessary adjustments. They began pressuring the Panthers’ guards, forcing turnovers and limiting Eastern Illinois’ ability to run their offense. The Panthers, who had looked confident in the first half, were stifled by Indiana’s defensive pressure, turning the ball over 10 times in the second half alone.

 

The Hoosiers were relentless on both ends of the floor, with every player contributing to the team’s overwhelming performance. The fast break, which had been nonexistent in the first half, came to life as the Hoosiers generated turnovers and capitalized on transition opportunities. Indiana finished the game with 16 fast-break points, a testament to their improved defensive play and quickness in transition.

 

Eastern Illinois, meanwhile, couldn’t recover from Indiana’s onslaught. Tunstill, who had kept the Panthers competitive in the first half, was held to just 5 points after the break as the Hoosiers locked down defensively. The Panthers’ shooting percentage, which had been solid in the first half, plummeted as Indiana’s defense ramped up, and by the time the game entered its final minutes, the outcome was never in doubt.

 

The 85-50 victory was a statement win for Indiana, who showed resilience and depth in their comeback. Although they struggled in the first half, the Hoosiers proved they have the talent and mental toughness to overcome adversity. With key contributions from Johnson, Jackson-Davis, Hood-Schifino, and Kopp, Indiana looks poised to continue their dominant play as they head into the heart of their schedule.

 

After the game, Coach Mike Woodson expressed confidence in his team’s ability to learn from their early mistakes. “We didn’t play our best basketball in the first half, but that’s the beauty of this team — they can bounce back,” Woodson said. “We’ve got a lot of talent, and when we put it all together, we’re tough to beat.”

 

As Indiana moves forward, the Hoosiers will look to build on their strong second-half performance and continue their pursuit of a deep NCAA Tournament run.