Indiana pulls away from Kent State to advance in March Madness

Trayce Jackson-Davis did all of it with 24 factors, 11 rebounds, 5 blocked pictures and 5 assists as Indiana defeated Thirteenth-seed Kent State 71-60 Friday evening to succeed in the second spherical of the NCAA Tournament for the primary time since 2016.

The 4th-seeded Hoosiers (23-11) superior to play Fifth-seeded Miami Sunday for a visit to Kansas City for the Midwest Region semifinals.

Jackson-Davis turned the primary participant since blocks turned an official NCAA statistic in 1985-86 to have a minimum of 20 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 assists in an NCAA Tournament sport, in accordance with OptaSTATS.

The final of 32 first-round video games to tip off was performed in entrance of largely Indiana followers and their staff delivered a no-drama victory to cap what was already a fairly good day. Earlier, the Hoosiers’ in-state rival Purdue turned the 2nd No. 1 seed within the match’s historical past to lose to a 16 seed when Fairleigh Dickinson pulled the stunner in Columbus, Ohio.

Race Thompson #25 and Trayce Jackson-Davis #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers react within the first half towards the Kent State Golden Flashes in the course of the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York.  (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Mid-American Conference champs from Kent State could not muster any such magic, taking pictures 32% from the sphere. Sincere Carry scored 15 factors to guide the Golden Flashes (28-7), who had received six straight heading into the match.

Well previous midnight, Jackson-Davis gave MVP Arena a jolt with six straight spectacular factors within the second half. The run began with a one-handed dunk, hovering down the lane. A clean baseline drive was subsequent, adopted by a spinning layup to make it 62-50 with 7:39 left.

Race Thompson matched a season excessive with 20 factors for the Hoosiers on 8-of-11 taking pictures.

The Hoosiers had a 35-27 at halftime as Thompson took benefit of a Kent State protection working onerous to restrict Jackson-Davis. Thompson scored 13 factors on 5-of-6 taking pictures.

Head coach Mike Woodson of the Indiana Hoosiers speaks to his staff within the first half towards the Kent State Golden Flashes in the course of the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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Meanwhile, Jackson-Davis greater than made his presence felt with 10 factors, seven rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks, together with a chase down swat of Jalen Sullinger’s layup within the last seconds of the half.

BIG PICTURE

Kent State: Its final NCAA victory was in 2002 when the Golden Flashes made a shocking run to the Elite Eight earlier than being eradicated by Indiana.

Indiana: The Hoosiers performed round a quiet evening from star freshman Jalen Hood Schifino, who scored eight factors whereas coping with foul bother.

Miller Kopp #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a basket within the second half towards the Kent State Golden Flashes in the course of the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York.  ((Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images))

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Indiana: The Hoosiers have performed the Hurricanes as soon as, dropping 58-53 in Miami in December 2001.