BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Myles Rice was instrumental in leading Indiana to a 77-68 triumph over Winthrop on Sunday, scoring 18 points to help his team secure the win.
Rice displayed an impressive shooting performance, connecting on 7 of 13 attempts from the field and sinking all four of his free throws while contributing four rebounds, three assists, and three steals for the Hoosiers (10-3). This victory marked their ninth consecutive win at home, as they managed to stifle the Eagles (10-5) offense, not allowing them to score in the final 3:16 of the game.
For Indiana, Malik Reneau added a solid 14 points along with seven rebounds, while Trey Galloway contributed 11 points and five assists. Langdon Hatton stood out defensively, grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds and scoring seven points off the bench.
Winthrop’s effort was highlighted by K.J. Doucet and Kasen Harrison, who each netted 14 points. Doucet also secured 12 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the season. Additionally, Kelton Talford added 13 points, while Paul Jones III and Nick Johnson chipped in with 10 points each.
In the first half, Rice played a key role, scoring 12 points that helped Indiana take a narrow lead of 41-37 at halftime. The Eagles kept the game competitive with Doucet, Harrison, and Jones each contributing noteworthy points to keep their team close.
In the second half, Luke Goode energized the crowd with a three-point play, extending Indiana’s lead to 54-47 with 15:15 remaining. Winthrop’s Talford responded by completing a three-point play of his own, narrowing the margin to three with 11:34 left on the clock. Nevertheless, Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako quickly pushed Indiana’s advantage back to seven points with consecutive baskets.
With just 3:16 left, Johnson sank a crucial three-pointer, narrowing the gap to 69-68 for Winthrop. However, the Eagles struggled offensively in the closing minutes, failing to score again.
Looking ahead, Indiana will host Rutgers for a Big Ten Conference clash on Saturday, while Winthrop will return to their home court to face South Carolina Upstate on Thursday in their Big South Conference opener.
