Indiana Basketball Rallies Past Western Kentucky 79–74 as Bench Leads Comeback in Evansville

Indiana’s final exhibition delivered something its earlier preseason victories had not: a serious second-half test.

The Hoosiers overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat Western Kentucky 79–74 on Sunday at the Ford Center in Evansville, completing their exhibition schedule unbeaten. Bryce Lindsay led Indiana with 20 points, but the bigger story was the combination of veterans and freshmen that helped Darian DeVries’ team recover when the game threatened to get away.

For Indiana, the afternoon offered encouragement alongside clear reasons to keep working. The Hoosiers found enough shooting, interior production and late execution to win. They also gave themselves unnecessary problems with turnovers, fouls and missed free throws.

Western Kentucky Put Indiana Under Pressure

Indiana struggled to establish itself offensively, going more than four minutes before scoring its first basket. Western Kentucky’s pressure created problems, particularly when the Hilltoppers crowded Indiana’s frontcourt and forced the Hoosiers to make decisions with multiple defenders around the ball.

There were productive responses. Indiana found opportunities by passing out of those traps, including a Samet Yigitoglu feed to Sam Alexis for a dunk. But the Hoosiers never gained comfortable control of the opening half.

Teagan Moore provided the most memorable moment before intermission, connecting from half court at the buzzer to put Western Kentucky ahead 37–35. The Hilltoppers then opened the second half with seven consecutive points, extending the pressure on Indiana.

That stretch made this a useful preseason challenge. Indiana had to find a different combination and produce better possessions while playing from behind.

Lindsay and Alexis Gave Indiana Reliable Production

Lindsay continued his productive exhibition run with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including four makes in eight attempts from beyond the arc. He also contributed three assists.

Alexis supplied an efficient interior complement, scoring 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting while adding five rebounds and four blocks. Jaeden Mustaf finished with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Those contributions mattered on an afternoon when several starters struggled to score. Indiana needed alternatives, and its bench provided them.

Lindsay’s value extends beyond making difficult shots. A reliable perimeter threat gives the offense another way to recover when its initial action breaks down. Alexis’ finishing offers a different answer: a player who can turn an opening near the basket into an efficient possession.

The two gave Indiana enough offensive stability for the younger players around them to contribute.

Freshmen Helped Change the Game

DeVries leaned on Trevor Manhertz, Prince-Alexander Moody and Vaughn Karvala alongside Lindsay and Alexis during the comeback.

Moody’s second three-pointer tied the score at 63–63 with 5:30 remaining. Lindsay later connected from deep to produce another tie, this time at 68. Alexis followed with two free throws, and Lindsay added a layup as Indiana finally established a late advantage. Karvala contributed a rebound basket and two free throws during the closing stretch.

For the freshmen, these were valuable minutes with consequences attached. They had to make decisions while the outcome remained unsettled.

Manhertz finished with seven points, Moody scored six and Karvala added four points and four rebounds. Indiana’s reserves accounted for 57 of its 79 points.

That does not settle the regular-season rotation. It does give DeVries evidence that he can turn to his younger players when the first group is struggling.

The Problems Indiana Must Correct

The comeback should not obscure how much work Indiana created for itself.

The Hoosiers committed 14 turnovers, and Western Kentucky converted Indiana’s mistakes into a 20–11 advantage in points off turnovers. Indiana also missed 14 free throws, finishing 23-for-37 at the line, and committed 23 fouls.

Those are costly habits for a team preparing for games in which every possession will count toward its record.

Indiana’s size remains an asset, but getting the ball inside must lead to controlled decisions. Against pressure, the next pass needs to arrive before the defense can turn an advantage into a turnover. At the other end, better positioning and discipline can reduce the number of possessions that end at the foul line.

Western Kentucky also deserves credit. Moore scored 30 points, repeatedly giving the Hilltoppers an offensive answer and forcing Indiana to keep working for the victory.

Indiana Heads Into the Opener With Useful Lessons

Indiana finished 3–0 in exhibition play and will open the regular season against Eastern Illinois on November 2 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Sunday’s result gives the Hoosiers something concrete to build on: scoring options beyond the starting lineup, freshmen who contributed under pressure and veterans capable of helping close a tight game.

It also gives DeVries a clear practice agenda. Indiana needs cleaner ball handling, fewer unnecessary fouls and better free-throw shooting. The Hoosiers earned their comeback in Evansville; improving those areas would make the next one less necessary.