Indiana snapped its nine-game losing streak to Purdue with a 68-65 win against the Boilermakers on Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The victory improved Indiana to 14-4 overall and 5-3 in Big Ten play. Here are five takeaways from the win:
Phinisee carries Indiana early and comes up big late
Rob Phinisee’s offensive struggles throughout his Indiana career are well documented.
At McCutcheon, Phinisee was a prolific scorer and even had a 50-point game in his senior year. But in Bloomington, the senior guard has been a below-average perimeter shooter who has often lacked confidence.
Phinisee showed signs of being more assertive in Indiana’s 73-60 win against Minnesota earlier this month. As the Golden Gophers dared him to shoot from the perimeter, Phinisee obliged and knocked down four of his nine 3-point attempts.
Thursday’s circumstances – and stakes – were much different than the Minnesota game. With Trayce Jackson-Davis benched with foul trouble and…