Sound the Alarm: Indiana Beats Wisconsin After Fire Alarm Delay, Snaps 4-Game Losing Streak
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — For several weeks now, Indiana fans have wanted to pull the plug on this season.
But pull the fire alarm?
Just when we thought we've seen it all this year, Indiana's game with Wisconsin was disrupted by a fire alarm midway through the second half with the score tied. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was evacuated, and the game was delayed for approximately 20 minutes.
When play resumed, Indiana found a way to make just enough plays down the stretch — especially on the defensive end — and beat Wisconsin 74-70 to snap a painful four-game losing streak.
There was no dumpster fire, and no fire of any kind. But the break served the Hoosiers well, slowing a Wisconsin run that had erased Indiana's early 15-point lead.
"I want to thank our crowd for still coming back into the game to help us get over the hump,'' Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. "That's the first time I've ever been through something like that. That locker room is very happy right now. When you go through a stretch like that, I don't wish that on anyone"
"Wisconsin is well-coached and they aren't ever going to quit. You've got to stay patient with 18 and 19-year-old men. We got that monkey off our backs and I'm happy for them.''
Sophomore center Ke'lel Ware was the star of the night, and he proved his worth in a big way because he missed the first meeting between the two teams in Madison, a 91-79 loss to the Hoosiers where he defensive presence was missed.
Ware made first eight shots and had 20 first-half points. He also had seven rebounds and three blocks in the period, with no turnovers. He also didn't pick up any fouls, which allowed him to stay on the floor for the first 15 minutes. He played 18 minutes in the first half.
He finished the game with 27 points on 11-of-12 shooting, 11 rebounds and five blocks. It was his 12th double-double of the season, and the five blocks were a season high.'
"He had a man's game. It was unbelievable,'' Woodson said.
Ware only one shot attempt in the first eight minutes of second half, and Wisconsin battled back to take its first lead of the game at 56-54 with 9:29 to go. "Maybe we didn't go to him enough,'' Woodson said.
But others chipped in. Freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako, who finished with 14 points, made a huge three-pointer to tie the game at 63-63. Anthony Walker had a layup and Ware scored again with an and-one to put Indiana up 6-65. Senior Trey Galloway, who had a career-high 12 assists — six to Ware — for the second time in two weeks, hit a floater in the late to tie it at 70-70 with 1:47 left.
Wisconsin wouldn't score again, missing its final six shots. Indiana took the lead on a tough make in traffic by Malik Reneau, and added two free throws from Mgbako with 25 seconds left for the winning margin.
Indiana's defense, which allowed 91 points in a loss to the Badgers in January, was much better in the rematch. They made things difficult for the Wisconsin bigs inside, and did a much better job of contesting three-pointers.
"We struggled to do that down the stretch (offensively) and they were able to close out the win," Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn said. The Badgers shot just 43 percent and were just 8-for-26 — 30.8 percent from three.
Hepburn said they also couldn't close out the Hoosiers on the defensive end, which was a problem.''
"Not being able to get stops,'' he said. "After that little break we had, we came out and stopped them five straight times but we couldn't get it done after that. So I'd definitely say it was the defensive side. The offensive side will come to us. We just need to lock in defensively.'',
Sixth-year senior Xavier Johnson returned to the Indiana lineup Tuesday night after missing six straight games with an elbow injury. He was missed, as the Hoosiers went 1-5 in his absence.
He turned the ball over on his first possession and had five turnovers overall, but played well on the defensive end. He finished with five points. Indiana shot 61.7 percent from the field and made 6-of-14 three-pointers and 10-of-15 free throws, both of which have been recent problem areas.
"This win means a lot,'' Ware said. "It's not just me, the whole team has been on the downhill. We finally got over the hump, like everyone was talking about.''
Indiana is now 15-13 on the season and 7-10 in the Big Ten. They have three games remaining, starting on Sunday at Maryland. They play at Minnesota and finish at home against Michigan State on March 10.
"We finally got the monkey off our back, but now we have to validate it. I'm happy as hell we are off that slide, but we've got to validate this evening and do it at Maryland."
Indiana officials said there was no fire, but emergency management officials followed state law and evacuated the building. Here was the official state from the school.
"It was determined a fire alarm went off in the balcony. Emergency management officials stationed in the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Command Center followed state law and evacuated the arena for the safety and well-being of everyone in attendance. Once it was determined there was no immediate threat, everyone was allowed back in the building.''
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