Hoosiers Rally to Defeat Baylor Bears, 76-74

Sunday, October 26

Indianapolis, Ind.

1:00 PM

Indiana University

0-0,0-0Big Ten

Baylor (Exhibition)

0-0,0-0Big 12

Baylor

Indiana

10/26/2025 4:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- We've seen this before from Indiana, a rally from a double-digit deficit, ferocious defense, relentless mental, and physical toughness.

Sunday's 76-74 comeback exhibition effort against Baylor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse -- fueled by a 19-6 start to the second half -- helped the Hoosiers overcome deficits as large as 13 points. It was similar to the pair of August comeback wins from 20-point deficits they had against a Serbian pro team in Puerto Rico.

"It's a great quality to have," coach Darian DeVries said, "I hope it continues. It's something that matters.

"When we were down 13, the game can go a lot of ways. I challenged our guys don't let this get to 20. We can't keep doing that. We did a great job of fighting back."

Guard Lamar Wilkerson set the offense tone with 26 points. Forward Tucker DeVries added 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Guard Tayton Conerway had 17 points and five assists.

"Tucker DeVries attracts so much attention," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "When Tucker is on the court, it makes it easier for everybody else."

Free throws were a big Hoosier catalyst. They were 20-for-21 from the line.

"Their free throw coach deserves a raise," Drew said with a smile.

Because this was an exhibition, no one fouled out, although Wilkerson and Conerway each had five. Baylor also had two players with five fouls.

"I'd much rather them be aggressive," Darian DeVries said. "We have to adjust to officiating. We don't call much in practice."

IU's attacking, swarming defense negated Baylor's advantage in rebounding (44-25) and second-chance points (18-3), as well as the Hoosiers' 3-point shooting inconsistency (6-for-24). Indiana had a decisive edge in points off turnovers (22-11) while holding the Bears to just 29.0% second-half shooting. Baylor finished with 16 turnovers. Indiana had nine.

"It's hard to simulate their speed and playmaking," Darian DeVries said. "It was a great opportunity for us to experience that. In the first half, you could see the struggle. In the second half, we were much more aggressive defensively."

Added Drew: "In the second half, Indiana played a lot tougher than us. They put us on our heels.

"(Darian DeVries) does a great job with defense and intensity and toughness."

IU built leads as large as nine points in the second half before Baylor rallied for a lead in the closing minutes.

"The lead was starting to evaporate," Darian DeVries said, "and because this was an exhibition, we weren't trying to run a lot of our stuff. We wanted to see how our guys would respond. Let them play off each other and find ways to make plays and execute.

"It was a great opportunity for us have the game come down to the wire. We have some great tape to look at."

IU started guards Conor Enright, Wilkerson, and Conerway, along with forwards Reed Bailey and Tucker DeVries.

The Hoosiers only used eight players as they continue to work through injuries.

Active IU defense forced Baylor into early 1-for-6 shooting. Wilkerson's three-point play gave IU a 7-6 lead. Four straight DeVries points pushed the Hoosiers ahead 11-8 after five minutes.

Baylor surged to a 22-13 lead behind 64 percent shooting. IU slipped to 33 percent. Wilkerson led with seven points and 5-for-5 free throw shooting.

The Bears built first-half leads as large as 13 points. The Hoosiers ramped up their defense. Wilkerson and DeVries kept scoring. The lead was twice cut to six points. Wilkerson took a pair of charges. An Enright layup with two seconds left made it a 41-36 halftime score. Wilkerson led with 16 points. DeVries had nine. Baylor had advantages in rebounding (19-11) and second-chance points (8-0).

Wilkerson opened the second half with his second 3-pointer. Reed scored on a hook shot. Conerway drove for a dunk. In less than three minutes, the score was tied at 43-43.

Wilkerson's third 3-pointer and assist to Conerway for a fast-break layup pushed the Hoosiers ahead 48-45. DeVries' 3-pointer made it 55-47 eight minutes into the second half.

A pair of DeVries free throws made it 64-55 with eight minutes left. Alexis muscled in a layup for a 66-62 Hoosier lead as the clock approached four minutes.

Baylor's 8-0 run gave it a 70-68 lead with two minutes left. A pair of free throws by Conerway and Wilkerson pushed the Hoosiers ahead. A DeVries jumper gave IU a 74-73 lead with 45 seconds left. After the Bears tied it, Conerway drove for a layup and the victory.

"Our defense has come a long way," Darian DeVries said. "We have a chance defensively to be really good.

"Our defensive rebounding has to improve. We can't allow people to run in there and jump. We won't win a lot of jumping contests."

IU opens its season Nov. 5 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall against Alabama A&M.