Indiana Tops Lindenwood, Moves to 5-0

Thursday, November 20

Bloomington, Ind.

6:00 PM

Indiana University

5-0,0-0Big Ten

Lindenwood

2-4,0-0OVC

Lindenwood

Indiana

11/20/2025 8:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Forward Tucker DeVries banked in a 3-pointer. Of course, he did.

Guard Lamar Wilkerson rattled in a 3-pointer. Finally, he did.

Forward Sam Alexis did what he always does -- get physical.

Indiana (5-0) took advantage of that, plus some disruptive defense, to deliver a 73-53 victory over Lindenwood (2-4) Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

"You see how well we play when we bring energy," Tucker DeVries said. "We have to make sure we bring it every day. We have to play with a bunch of excitement and enthusiasm. We're really good when we're doing that."

Still, it was victory without satisfaction.

"We have to play harder," Tucker DeVries said. "We were a little flat. We have to get it fixed."

The defense did its part, holding Lindenwood to 25 percent shooting,17 percent in the first half, forcing 14 turnovers and producing an 11-0 advantage from points off turnovers.

"It got a little choppy offensively," coach Darian DeVries said. "We're learning as a group when offense is not going, embrace the defensive side. Let that be our identity."

Alexis did his part with 10 rebounds, eight points, and four blocks in 24 off-the-bench minutes to spark the defensive tone.

"Sam again saved the day," Tucker DeVries said, "not only what he provided in rebounding and scoring, but his energy. The first half was dead all around. It's important to bring energy. He changed the game when he came in."

Added Alexis: "I want to give energy every time and bring a different vibe."

Tucker DeVries bounced back from his shooting performance four days earlier against Incarnate Word with 5-for-10 perimeter sharpshooting to finish with 25 points.

Wilkerson missed his first six 3-point attempts before finally making one. He totaled 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting. That followed his 2-for-6 shooting (0-for-3 beyond the arc) against Incarnate Word.

Darian DeVries was not concerned.

"Lamar was 4-for-16, so that means 11-for-17 is coming. He can let them rip whenever he wants. The best players in the world have off nights. If he has an off night, it means a good one is coming. He'll have plenty of good nights, too."

IU scored the game's first 10 points, then had an 13-0 second-half run to get separation Lindenwood couldn't overcome, although the Lions did get within six points early in the second half.

The reason the Hoosiers took control, Darian DeVries said, centered on defense.

"We're at our best when we get into the ball, and apply pressure and are disruptive."

To open the game, Tucker DeVries just beat the shot clock with a 3-pointer. The IU defense followed by forcing a turnover and then an airball, then another turnover, then another airball.

Lindenwood missed its first 13 shots. By the time it scored, at the 13:30 mark, IU led 10-2.

Alexis had a couple of power dunks. Guard Conor Enright hit a 3-pointer. Wilkerson had a steal and a score, and then a free throw, and then a floater. IU surged ahead 25-11 with seven minutes left. A Trent Sisley 3-pointer made it 27-11. Triples from Tucker DeVries and Nick Dorn made it 33-14. IU reached halftime ahead 34-18.

Lindenwood opened the second half on a 10-0 run in three minutes to force a Hoosier timeout. Wilkerson responded with a layup. Still, Lindenwood cut IU's lead to 37-31. Tucker DeVries had a layup off a Tayton Conerway assist. Four straight Alexis free throws restored the double-digit lead at 43-31. A pair of Dorn free throws made it 45-31 as the Hoosiers were on their way to a 13-0 run. The lead eventually reached 24.

"When the offense isn't flowing," Darian DeVries said, "you have to fight through that. You have to learn how to win games in a lot of ways. It's an important quality to have."