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Photo Gallery (by
Sandy King)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana closed the first half with a 27-3 run over the final 8:48 as the 15th ranked Hoosiers beat Eastern Illinois 88-49 in the 2015 season opener.
It marked the second time in school history EIU had faced Indiana, the previous time was in the opening round of the 1992 NCAA Tournament in Boise, Idaho. EIU returns to action on Monday playing at Ball State.
The Panthers took a 3-2 lead as
Trae Anderson converted a three point play with 18:57 to play. Anderson finished with 12 points for EIU.
James Blackmon Jr., answered with a 3-pointer that put the Hoosiers back in front. Indiana was 4-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half and 9-of-27 for the game behind the arc.
The Hoosiers slowly increased their lead in the first half leading 18-11 with 11:54 to play and 25-14 with a media time out at 7:40 to play.
Cornell Johnston knocked down a 3-pointer for EIU at the 8:48 mark. Anderson would hit a free throw and
Joe Kuligoski converted a lay-up to account for EIU's final three points of the half.
Blackmon had 12 points to lead IU in the first half as they led 49-17. Indiana held a 26-6 rebounding advantage in the first half with ten offensive boards.
The Panthers continued to fight early in the second half as the Panthers opened with a pair of 3-pointers by
Casey Teson with a 10-6 run taking the Panthers to the first media time out of the second half.
Indiana shot 53 percent for the game opening the first half at 57 percent. The Hoosiers finished with 26 second chance points and a 51-17 rebound advantage. Thomas Bryant led IU with nine rebounds.
A.J. Riley led the Panthers with 13 points.
IU had six players finish in double figures with Blackmon leading the way with 17.