Indiana dominates Sam Houston with a decisive 97-71 victory

On December 3, 2024, the Indiana Hoosiers played against the Sam Houston Bearkats in Bloomington, Indiana. The matchup marked Indiana's return to home court following a series of games in the Battle in Atlantis, where they struggled and dropped out of The Associated Press Top 25 rankings. Despite the setbacks, the Hoosiers aimed to bounce back against the Bearkats, and they did so with an impressive offensive performance. The game showcased strong contributions from several Indiana players. Myles Rice led all scorers with 19 points, while Malik Reneau also had a noteworthy performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Indiana’s Luke Goode played a critical role off the bench, knocking down five 3-pointers and adding 18 points to the team’s total. The Hoosiers built a substantial lead, driven by a remarkable 27-3 run in the first half, ultimately achieving a dominating 97-71 victory. On the other end, the Bearkats were led by Lamar Wilkerson, who scored 18 points, with Cameron Huefner and Dorian Finister contributing 17 and 14 points, respectively. However, the Bearkats struggled defensively, allowing Indiana to shoot an impressive 62% from the field. Despite a minor comeback attempt that brought the Bearkats within nine points early in the second half, Indiana quickly regained control and extended the lead to as much as 28 points during the game. This victory was significant for Indiana, as they moved to a 6-2 record for the season and demonstrated their potential to compete effectively within upcoming Big Ten matchups. Sam Houston, meanwhile, fell to a 4-5 record, continuing their challenging season on the road. The game highlighted Indiana's offensive prowess and solidified their position ahead of their next game against Miami (Ohio) before starting Big Ten play against Minnesota. The Hoosiers will look to maintain momentum from this game as they build towards key conference matchups in the weeks to come.