BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) Indiana and junior guard Kevin ''Yogi'' Ferrell followed up a big win over Butler Saturday with a 79-59 victory over New Orleans on Monday night.
The Privateers kept it close early by controlling the pace and not letting the Hoosiers get out and run. Indiana's pressure and pace was ultimately too much, as the Hoosiers ended the first half on an 18-0 run to go into the half up 44-22.
''With this year's team, if we can get consistent depth, we've got to be able to get the tempo faster when someone wants to take time off the clock,'' Indiana Coach Tom Crean said. ''So, it was very good training for us tonight to build for what we may see in the next couple weeks.''
Ferrell followed his 20-point performance against Butler, with a team-high 17 points to go with his five rebounds and two assists. After a big second half against Butler, Ferrell stressed his emphasis on being aggressive. He opened Monday's game with the same mindset, scoring 12 of his 17 in the first half.
Ferrell's backcourt mate James Blackmon Jr. has received a lot of the attention this season, as he leads all freshmen in the nation in scoring, but Ferrell is hitting his stride at the right time as Indiana heads into a matchup with Georgetown and Big Ten play. Blackmon had 14 points Monday.
Indiana's frontcourt is beginning to find some consistency, as Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Troy Williams were active and efficient down low. Mosquera-Perea scored 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting. Known for his athleticism and playing above the rim, Mosquera-Perea showed off his improved offensive abilities with a variety of moves around the rim.
''I think it's a matter of him consistently continuing to improve. . I've seen it even more in practice, more talk in practice more leadership in practice. I think confidence just continues to grow for him,'' Crean said.
Along with his offensive efforts, Mosquera-Perea grabbed six rebounds, had four blocks and consistently impacted shots in the paint.
''I know at this point that I have to bring a lot to the table for us to be able to win or to be able to have a good game. So, blocking shots and rebounding, I know have to be the top things that I do every game,'' Mosquera-Perea said.
Williams added eight points on 4 of 5 from the field and six rebounds.
New Orleans was led by sophomore Tevin Broyles with 18 points. Junior Kevin Hill scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
TIP-INS
New Orleans: For New Orleans head coach Mark Slessinger, the trip to Bloomington was a return home. The Bloomington native is in his fourth season as head coach for the Privateers.
Indiana: The Hoosiers have shown defensive improvement of late, allowing opponents to shoot just 39.1 percent from the field and 23.4 percent from 3-point range in the four games prior to New Orleans. ... The trend continued Monday night, with Indiana holding the Privateers to 39.7 percent shooting from the field and just 1 of 13 from behind the arc.
''The key to that is knowing personnel. . Coach (assistant coach Chuck) Martin had the scouting report for New Orleans, and we did a great job of keying in on guys who make shots for them,'' Ferrell said on Indiana's success defending the three.
UP NEXT
New Orleans hosts Central Baptist on December 30.
Indiana faces Georgetown in the Indeed invitational on Saturday in Madison Square Garden.
OLD OLD
Indiana and junior guard Kevin ''Yogi'' Ferrell followed up a big win over Butler Saturday night with a 79-59 victory over New Orleans on Monday.
The Privateers kept it close early by controlling the pace and not letting the Hoosiers get out and run. Indiana's pressure and pace was ultimately too much, as the Hoosiers ended the first half on an 18-0 run to go into the half up 44-22.
Ferrell followed his 20-point performance against Butler, with a team-high 17 points to go with his five rebounds and two assists. After a big second half against Butler, Ferrell stressed his emphasis on being aggressive. He opened Monday's game with the same mindset, scoring 12 of his 17 in the first half.
Ferrell's backcourt mate James Blackmon Jr. has received a lot of the attention this season, as he leads all freshmen in the nation in scoring - he had 14 points Monday - but Ferrell is hitting his stride at the right time as Indiana heads into a matchup with Georgetown and Big Ten play.
Indiana's frontcourt is beginning to find some consistency, as Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Troy Williams were active and efficient down low. Mosquera-Perea scored 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Along with his offensive efforts, Mosquera-Perea had four blocks and consistently impacted shots in the paint. Williams added eight points on 4 of 5 from the field and six rebounds.
New Orleans was led by sophomore Tevin Broyles with 18 points. Junior Kevin Hill also scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
TIP-INS
New Orleans: For New Orleans head coach Mark Slessinger, the trip to Bloomington was a return home. The Bloomington native is in his fourth season as head coach for the Privateers.
Indiana: The Hoosiers have shown defensive improvement of late, allowing opponents to shoot just 39.1 percent from the field and 23.4 percent from 3-point range in the four games prior to New Orleans. ... The trend continued Monday night, with Indiana holding the Privateers to 39.7 percent shooting from the field and just 1 of 13 from behind the arc.
UP NEXT
New Orleans hosts Central Baptist on December 30.
Indiana faces Georgetown in the Indeed invitational on Saturday in Madison Square Garden.
