BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) _ Juwan Morgan scored a career-high 28 points Wednesday
and Devonte Green added 12 as Indiana pulled away from Arkansas State 87-70.
The Hoosiers (3-2) won their second straight for the first time under new coach
Archie Miller. Morgan also had eight rebounds, two short of his second straight
double-double.
Arkansas State (2-3) was led by Deven Simms with 21 points and Tristin Walley
with 12.
But again, the Hoosiers struggled to close it out.
Indiana led 47-33 at the half then let the Red Wolves steadily cut into the
lead. And when Arkansas State went on a 13-4 run midway through the second half,
they were suddenly down just 59-56.
The Hoosiers responded with seven straight points, getting a layup from Robert
Johnson with 4:14 left to make it 73-62.
Arkansas State never seriously challenged again, and Indiana finally sealed
with an 11-3 run that extended the margin to 20 with 1:19 to go.
The Hoosiers initially took control by cranking up the tempo after Arkansas
State had taken an early 13-8 lead.
Indiana charged back with a 15-5 spurt to make it 23-18 and made 10 of their
last 12 shots in the first half to make it a 14-point game.
BIG PICTURE
Arkansas State: The Red Wolves have spent the first month of the season
alternating wins and losses, and they stayed true to the pattern Wednesday. But
first-year coach Mike Balado has this program on the right track, and more time
together will only help Arkansas State as it chases a second straight 20-win
season.
Indiana: While the Hoosiers still aren’t clicking on all cylinders, they are
improving. The defense has shown steady growth since a season-opening loss to
Indiana State, and the offense is getting leadership from Robert Johnson and
Juwan Morgan. There’s still a long way to go.
UP NEXT
Arkansas State: Visits South Florida on Friday in its fourth and final game of
the Hoosier Tip-Off Classic
Indiana: Hosts Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference on Friday _ the
Hoosiers final tuneup before next week’s showdown with No. 1 Duke.
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