Hoosiers Win Preseason Finale Over Western Kentucky, 79-74

Sunday, October 25

Evansville, Ind.

4:00 PM

Indiana University

0-0,0-0Big Ten

Western Kentucky (Exhibition)

0-0,0-0CUSA

Team	1	2	F
Western Ky.	37	37	74
Indiana	35	44	79

Box Score (PDF)

10/25/2026 7:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Youth isn't always wasted on the young. Certainly not for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Case in point -- Indiana's 79-74 comeback exhibition victory against Western Kentucky at the Ford Center on Sunday.

The Hoosiers relied on freshmen Trevor Manhertz, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Vaughn Karvala down the stretch along with veterans Sam Alexis and Bryce Lindsay.

Specifically, IU fell behind by 11 with 14 minutes remaining and used that lineup to rally and finish with a 3-0 exhibition record. The Hoosiers open the season Nov. 2 against Eastern Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

"I'm happy with the win," coach Darian DeVries told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during the post-game radio show. "I'm glad to see the guys competing down the stretch and making some winning plays, but certainly disappointed in some of the areas we thought we were making progress in."

Lindsay led Indiana with 20 points and four 3-pointers in 20 minutes. Alexis added 15 points, five rebounds, and four blocks. Guard Jaeden Mustaf had 11 points.

Manhertz had seven points and three rebounds. Moody had six points. Karvala, who missed the first exhibition with a lower-body injury, finished with four points and four rebounds.

"Our plan coming into the game, besides winning, was to make sure we got the freshmen some good minutes in the second half," DeVries told Fischer. "They came in, played hard and did their jobs. They gave us a good lift and some great energy.

"Vaugh was really productive. Prince gave us some good defensive energy and played with enthusiasm. Trevor had a big three."

Western Kentucky, picked to win Conference USA, presented a formidable challenge, especially with guard Teagan Moore (30 points). So did IU turnover issues (14) that had previously surfaced in exhibition wins over Butler (12 turnovers) and North Carolina (15). The Hilltoppers had a 20-11 edge in points off turnovers.

Fouling and free throw shooting were also problems. The Hoosiers committed 23 fouls and were just 23-for-37 from the line. They also allowed Western Kentucky to grab 10 offensive rebounds and 39 overall. IU had 14 and 49.

"They flat out played harder than we did," DeVries told Fischer. "We struggled for a long time.

"We put them on the free throw line too much. They offensive rebounded on us. That can't be something we allow to happen. And with the turnovers, their pressure got us on our heels."

*****

A fast and physical first half produced eight lead changes and three ties.

Western Kentucky went on a 12-2 run for a 28-20 lead five minutes before halftime. IU responded with a 7-0 run on guard Markus Burton's layup and three free throws, and Alexis's dunk. A pair of Mustaf free throws with two minutes left pushed the Hoosiers ahead 31-30. Mustaf added a jumper and a layup for a 35-32 lead before a Western Kentucky halfcourt buzzer beater gave the Hilltoppers a 37-35 lead.

Mustaf and Lindsay led IU with nine points each. The Hoosiers shot 37 percent from the field with eight assists and eight turnovers. Western Kentucky had a 12-3 edge in points off turnovers.

The Hilltoppers surged to a 51-40 lead early in the second half as IU went young with Manhertz, Moody, and Karvala.

Forward Trent Sisley's 3-pointer, then one by Moody, helped restore Hoosier momentum. A Manhertz 3-pointer drew IU within 57-54 with eight minutes left.

Moody's second 3-pointer tied it at 63-63 with 5:30 left. Lindsay's fourth 3-pointer produced a 68-68 tie. Alexis hit a pair of free throws. Lindsay followed with a layup. Manhertz hit a free throw for a 73-68 IU lead with 98 seconds left.

Karvala added a rebound basket and then a pair of free throws. Alexis scored. It was enough for a Hoosier victory.

"It was a great experience for us," DeVries told Fischer. "I'm excited to see those freshmen be in that situation and find a way to win.

"This is a big week of practice. There is plenty of stuff for us to grab their attention. Now it gets real and our guys will be excited for that opener."