There truly was “Magic” when the Hoosier women hit the court against #4 Iowa. It was the same venue that had empty seats and echoed boos that now oozed sold-out positivity. For Hoosier fans, it was a refreshing relief to watch a fundamentally sound team rather than a train wreck. The women make their frees and threes, but have had their flaws, coming off a bad 20-point loss to unranked Illinois. 

With thoughts of last year’s Caitlin Clark buzzer beater and an earlier conference loss to the Hawkeyes, No. 14 Indiana came on with a vengeance to upset Iowa, 86-69. Mackenzie Holmes scored 24 points, matching Clark’s output.  Fifth-year guard, Sara Scalia led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 at the line. 

Meanwhile for Iowa, Clark shot just 3-for-16 beyond the arc, as 3-pointers decided the game. Kate Marshall had 19 points but went 0-for-6 from distance. The Hoosiers shot 43% from behind the arc, a vast improvement from January’s 25%. Iowa was 41% in that last game but held to only 18% this time.

The Hoosiers led 44-33 and at halftime and surpassed the magical mark at 62-51 with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter on a Chloe Moore-McNeil three.  Sydney Parrish was a difference maker in returning to the starting lineup for the first time in nine games. I.U. improved to 22-4 on the season, and moved into second in the Big Ten at 13-3. Next up is at Northwestern. Take that Caitlin!