INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — IU basketball took down Syracuse, 83-80, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to start the season 3-0.
IU was trailing by one point with less than three minutes remaining, but the Hoosiers made clutch buckets to close out the win.
Markus Burton made a corner three to put IU in front. With the game tied again, Bryce Lindsay made a driving layup off the glass. IU took the lead for good with just over a minute remaining, with Darren Harris making all three free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer.
“I like their confidence to step into shots,” IU head coach Darian DeVries said. “We want that. You got to believe in the work that you put in and our guys have put in the work. Those opportunities are going to come. Being able to execute in those type of situations is a big deal too. We try to really reinforce that confidence to not be afraid of the moment.”
“We’re going to come out and fight and we’re going to stay together at all times,” IU junior guard Jaeden Mustaf said. “I think we built a great bond together just over the summer and into now. Just knowing every game we’re going to fight together, no matter what the score says.”
Burton and Harris led the Hoosiers with 20 points each. Mustaf had 18 points and Bryce Lindsay had 11 points off the bench.
IU outrebounded Syracuse 37-28 and pulled down 14 offensive rebounds. DeVries said he loves the rebounding component this team has.
The Hoosiers made nine three-pointers, shooting 36% from beyond the arc. IU was 22-25 (85%) at the free throw line and shot 42% from the field.
Next up for the Hoosiers is a home game against Tennessee Tech on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
