IU Basketball Survives Western Kentucky: Freshmen Spark Comeback Win
Indiana basketball secured a 79-74 comeback victory over Western Kentucky on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Evansville, with first-year players playing decisive roles down the stretch, according to live reporting from IndyStar. The Hoosiers trailed for nearly 28 minutes before a late offensive surge erased the deficit and preserved the win.
Freshmen Close the Gap as Coach Adjusts
Head coach Darian DeVries turned to first-year guards Prince-Alexander Moody and Vaughn Karvala during the game's final, critical minutes. Karvala contributed defensive activity and a key block late after checking in, while Moody provided critical floor spacing by hitting key three-pointers and distributing the ball. Moody finished with six points and two assists off the bench, helping close a gap created by Western Kentucky’s defensive pressure.
The late-game adjustments helped Indiana control the glass. The Hoosiers pulled down 14 offensive rebounds that resulted in 12 second-chance points.
Late Run Overcomes Defensive Pressure
Western Kentucky dictated the tempo for much of the contest, turning 12 Indiana turnovers into 18 points and building a 22-14 edge in paint scoring. The Hilltoppers capitalized on a technical foul called against Trevor Manhertz after a replay review, using a 12-0 run to seize control in the first half and holding a halftime lead following a buzzer-beating shot by Teagan Moore.
Indiana did not pull ahead until Bryce Lindsay hit a three-pointer with 4:09 remaining in regulation, sparking an 8-0 run. Lindsay led the Hoosiers with 18 points. Sam Alexis added 15 points and five rebounds off the bench, aiding the late-game execution alongside Jaeden Mustaf, who finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Markus Burton struggled offensively for Indiana, hitting 1 of 7 shots.
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | 74 | ||
| Indiana | 79 |
Indiana Uses Size and Passing to Create Scoring
Earlier in the contest, Indiana utilized its frontcourt size to deter shots at the rim, pairing 7-foot Aiden Sherrell with 7-foot-2 Samet Yigitoglu. Yigitoglu anchored the passing lanes without scoring, contributing four rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals, including multiple passes out of zone double-teams to find Sam Alexis for dunks.
While shooting percentages remained low through the opening twenty minutes, Indiana finished the afternoon assisting 15 of its 23 made baskets. The team will examine the tape from this preseason test as preparation continues for the upcoming regular-season schedule.