After Indiana Women’s Basketball’s impressive 81-60 victory over Rutgers, head coach Teri Moren shared her thoughts during the postgame press conference. The Hoosiers came out strong in the second half, especially during a dominant third quarter where they scored 36 points, with 10 of those coming from three-point shots. Sydney Parrish led the charge with a season-high 22 points, hitting 8-of-11 shots, including four from beyond the arc.
Moren opened the press conference by acknowledging that the team had played a great second half, despite a slower start in the first half. She noted that the first half felt a bit off offensively, with a lack of rhythm and flow. She attributed part of the issue to turnovers, particularly from Chloe, who Moren emphasized needed to take better care of the basketball. However, she was pleased to see the team tighten up in the second half, with just two turnovers from the starters. When the bench players came in, the turnover count climbed a bit, but Moren understood that could happen. She praised the team’s effort, with 24 assists on only 13 turnovers.
One key point Moren highlighted was how the team shot the ball in the second half, especially in the third quarter. She mentioned how making shots became contagious, with players like Syd, Shay, and Chloe contributing to the offensive surge. She appreciated how the team shared the ball and capitalized on their good looks, particularly after struggling to make shots earlier in the game. Moren was also pleased with their defensive effort, noting that they focused on limiting the impact of Rutgers’ star player, number 32, who can be dangerous when left open. She commended her team for sticking to the defensive strategy and keeping her from getting easy shots.
Looking ahead, Moren talked about how the team’s recent performances have boosted their confidence. She referenced wins over Washington, Nebraska, and now Rutgers, emphasizing that confidence would be crucial as they moved forward, especially with a challenging stretch of road games ahead. She stressed that defense would need to continue traveling well, as they would face tougher competition in upcoming away games.
Moren also took time to reflect on the team’s overall offensive balance, noting how the Hoosiers were able to maintain a good mix of inside and outside scoring. She acknowledged that this was a key to their success, as they had been able to move the ball well and find good shooting opportunities. On the offensive end, Moren also talked about the importance of having versatile players like Sydney Parrish, who can stretch the floor and score from various positions.
Regarding the team’s offensive struggles during a nearly eight-minute scoring drought in the first half, Moren admitted that they missed several easy layups and that turnovers contributed to the dry spell. She stressed the importance of not letting these types of droughts happen against stronger teams, as they could cost the Hoosiers in more competitive matchups.
As the Hoosiers prepare for a tough stretch of road games against Minnesota and Michigan, Moren expressed optimism based on the team’s recent improvements. She acknowledged the challenges of playing on the road but was confident in the team’s ability to execute and hit their shots. Moren also emphasized the importance of continuing to limit turnovers and make sure they maintain a high level of focus throughout their games.
Overall, Moren was satisfied with her team’s growth, maturity, and focus as they continue to evolve throughout the season. She concluded by expressing confidence that the hard lessons learned in previous games would help them as they move forward into the more challenging parts of their schedule.
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