BLOOMINGTON — The best version of this year’s Indiana women’s basketball team showed up in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Purdue at Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers dropped 30 points on their rival while shooting 60% from the field. They jumped out to a 20-2 lead before some fans even had a chance to settle into their seats.
While everyone who stepped on the floor contributed, Yarden Garzon was the clear catalyst for their success. The junior forward knocked down shots on three consecutive possessions in the opening minutes including a 3-pointer to score her team’s first seven points.
Garzon finished the 78-56 win with 18 points (7 of 12), eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. It was the type of inspired performance that eluded her on IU’s recent road trip.
Insider: IU women’s basketball dominated Purdue. Hoosiers hope it’s launching point for tough stretch
She was held scoreless through the first half of a 70-67 loss to Michigan on Feb. 12 — she only attempted four shots in 34 minutes — while turning it over five times. The Hoosiers gave up the lead in the game’s final two minutes.
Garzon made sure there was no let down back in Bloomington.
“I just thought today she came out and she was more aggressive,” Indiana coach Teri Moren said. “She can score in a lot of different ways, we just need her to have that mentality that she had today with, just like I said, with being more aggressive.”
She’s averaging 16.1 points on 47.7% shooting (48.1% from 3-point range) in IU’s 15 wins this season and just 9.8 points on 30.9% shooting (22%) in its nine losses. The Hoosiers are 14-2 when Garzon scores 18 or more points going back to her freshman year and 7-2 this season.
“We need her. We need her consistency,” Moren said. “We need her to be aggressive for us because she helps us so much, not just offensively, but also defensively.”
It’s more important now than ever with IU embarking on a stretch with games against three straight ranked opponents that will make or break its chances at making this year’s NCAA Tournament. The gauntlet starts with a game against No. 9 Ohio State on Thursday night at Assembly Hall.
Moren highlighted areas where the Hoosiers need to be more consistent — fewer turnovers, crashing the boards and sound defense — but their easiest path to the tourney will be Garzon playing like she did against Purdue.
“She can score in a lot of different ways, we just need her to have that mentality that she had today,” Moren said.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana women’s basketball needs Yarden Garzon’s scoring, shooting
