Mackenzie Mgbako leads Indiana to victory over Providence

On November 29, 2024, in Nassau, Bahamas, the Indiana Hoosiers faced off against the Providence Friars at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The game ended with Indiana claiming a decisive 89-73 victory, marking their return to form after a previous loss. Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako played a crucial role in the game, scoring 25 points and helping the team outshine their opponents. Malik Reneau also made a significant contribution, scoring 21 points while shooting an impressive 8-of-9 from the field. The first half saw Indiana establish a strong foothold as Mgbako scored seven consecutive points late in the period, leading to a halftime score of 46-33 in favor of Indiana. Following the break, the Hoosiers launched a dominant 13-4 run, pushing the lead to as much as 57-38. Providence struggled to mount a comeback, ultimately not getting within nine points during the second half. Indiana’s solid performance included shooting 53% from the field and an impressive 17-for-20 at the free-throw line. A notable addition to the game was Trey Galloway, who made his first start of the season and scored 18 points, showcasing his ability by hitting three 3-pointers out of four attempts. The game was particularly important for Indiana after a subpar three-point shooting performance in their prior matchup against Gonzaga, where they only made 4 of 18 attempts. The turnaround against Providence, where they successfully made 8 of 15 from beyond the arc, highlighted their improved shooting. Looking ahead, Indiana is set to return home to play Sam Houston on Tuesday, continuing their season aspirations. Providence will face BYU in the Big 12-Big East Battle on the same day, aiming to bounce back from their defeat against Indiana. This match served as a crucial moment in both teams' season narratives, highlighting the competitiveness of the tournament and the performance of key players.