After a lethargic early start, IU utilized a 14-0 run midway through the first half to build up a double-digit lead on Illinois in Assembly Hall on Wednesday night, and then hung on the rest of the way for a 78-68 victory.
Scroll down below for an instant recap of the game.
8:25 p.m. ET: Hoosiers will roll with their recent starting lineup - Devonte Green, Robert Johnson, Zach McRoberts, Juwan Morgan and Freddie McSwain.
15:28 1H: Illinois 9, Indiana 6 - The Illini grabbed four early offensive boards, which helped them jump out to a quick lead.
11:37 1H: Illinois 14, Indiana 12 - Illini still out in front, but an early six points from Justin Smith has the Hoosiers right in it.
Smith has shown bright spots as a freshman. Just has to get more consistent. That comes with time.
9:46 1H: Indiana 19, Illinois 14 - Hoosiers take the lead on back-to-back baskets from Durham, including a three and then a nice transition layup where he eurostepped around and under a defender.
Very pretty finish.
7:20 1H: Indiana 26, Illinois 14 - Whoa, 14-0 run for the Hoosiers now, and a 18-2 run over the last 5:39.
Seemed like IU has really turned up the intensity after a lackluster start. Playing with energy now.
3:03 1H: Indiana 28, Illinois 20 - Four turnovers for IU in the last 4:21, but they still lead by eight.
Illinois has fallen to just 9-of-28 from the field, including 1-for-11 from three-point range.
Halftime: Indiana 35, Illinois 25 - Johnson's nine points, Smith's eight lead the Hoosiers.
Overall IU started slow - a lethargic atmosphere early in Assembly Hall, a lethargic start.
But then the Hoosiers went on that mid-half run, and the energy in the building picked up. IU's kept them at an arm's length since then.
15:51 2H: Indiana 44, Illinois 36 - Illinois forced IU into three early turnovers to begin this period, pulling within five points a couple times.
They keep using a screener to free up a cutter, and the cutter gets open time and again underneath the basket.
13:11 2H: Indiana 49, Illinois 45 - Well, Illinois crawling back in this one. They've made their last five field goals.
Their press, though, is getting called for a lot of fouls - Hoosiers already in the one-and-one.
Hitting free throws could be key down the stretch.
7:56 2H: Indiana 60, Illinois 54 - Hoosiers trying to hold on here. They're already 9-of-12 from the charity stripe this half, since they got into the bonus so early.
Al Durham has been key tonight. 10 total points in 16 minutes.
3:52 1H: Indiana 67, Illinois 60 - Yep, Hoosiers averaging 1.14 points per possession this half. Just making 50 percent of your free throws would net you 1.0 ppp, 60 percent 1.2 - so you start getting to the line early in the half, even if you shoot poorly you're still pretty efficient.
And IU has made 13-of-16 of their tries this period.
Illinois still technically within striking distance. Need a couple stops to really seal the deal.
FINAL: Indiana 78, Illinois 68
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