Indiana Outlasts Wisconsin in OT Thriller Behind Sam Alexis’ Breakout and Late-Game Heroics
In a game that had the feel of March even though we’re still in early February, Indiana found a way to gut out a 78-77 overtime win over Wisconsin at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It was a game of momentum swings, defensive grit, and clutch moments - and for the Hoosiers, it was a much-needed Big Ten victory that showcased growth, resilience, and a few standout performances that could shape the trajectory of their season.
Let’s break down five key takeaways from a wild afternoon in Bloomington.
Sam Alexis Delivers His Best Performance in Cream and Crimson
Indiana’s frontcourt rotation has been fluid all season, with Sam Alexis and Reed Bailey sharing time at the five. But on Saturday, Alexis didn’t just earn his minutes - he owned them.
The 6-foot-9 senior turned in his most complete game as a Hoosier, pouring in a season-high 19 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-10 shooting. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field in the second half alone, taking full advantage of Wisconsin’s defensive switches and punishing them inside.
More than just a scoring presence, Alexis was a force on the defensive end. He swatted five shots and pulled down seven rebounds in 34 minutes, anchoring a defense that held Wisconsin to just 42.9% shooting on two-point attempts - their second-lowest mark inside the arc this season.
“Sam was tremendous in that second half,” head coach Darian DeVries said. “We were able to take advantage of a few switches… We were able to throw it inside.”
The Hoosiers needed every bit of Alexis’ production, and his two-way impact was a major reason they were able to claw out the win.
Conor Enright’s Savvy Charge Turns the Tide in Overtime
Some plays don’t show up in the box score the way they should. Conor Enright’s drawn charge in overtime was one of those moments - a heady, instinctive play that may have saved the game for Indiana.
Down two with time winding down in OT, Enright stepped in front of Wisconsin point guard Nick Boyd near the perimeter and drew a whistle on what became one of the most hotly debated calls of the afternoon. Whether you agreed with the call or not, Enright’s timing and positioning were spot-on - a veteran move in a pressure-packed moment.
“We were trying to get a turnover first,” Enright said postgame. “Honestly, I was kind of panicking, trying to get a hold of him because he was wasting time… Then I just saw his shoulder go into me and figured from a foul I might as well try and get a charge. It worked out.”
That play gave IU the ball back, and moments later, Lamar Wilkerson drew a foul and buried two cold-blooded free throws to put the Hoosiers in front for good.
Tucker DeVries Finds His Rhythm and Goes the Distance
It’s been a tough stretch offensively for Tucker DeVries, but Saturday offered a glimpse of the player Indiana hoped they were getting when the season began.
DeVries knocked down three triples - his most in a game in weeks - and finished with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting. More importantly, he played all 45 minutes of the game, showing both stamina and leadership in a game where every possession mattered.
He also grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots, continuing a recent trend of increased activity on the glass. Over IU’s last five games, DeVries has pulled down 44 boards - a sign he’s finding ways to contribute even when the shot isn’t falling.
“Tucker just, again, he’s our connector out there,” Coach DeVries said. “45 minutes and eight rebounds and knocked some shots down tonight.”
If DeVries can continue to trend upward offensively, Indiana’s ceiling gets a whole lot higher.
Lamar Wilkerson: Off Night, Clutch Finish
Lamar Wilkerson didn’t have his best shooting night - far from it. He shot just 40% from the field and went 1-for-8 from deep. But when the game was on the line, there was no doubt who Indiana wanted at the line.
Wilkerson, averaging over 23 points per game in conference play, calmly sank two free throws with under three seconds remaining in overtime to flip a one-point deficit into a one-point lead. That was the ballgame.
Even on a night when the outside shot wasn’t falling, Wilkerson still managed to score 25 points, showing the kind of offensive polish that separates elite scorers from volume shooters.
“He don’t really miss in practice or like ever,” Alexis said. “So I don’t really think he feels any pressure, to be honest, when he’s shooting them.”
“If I had to pick a guy,” Enright added, “I would put Lamar out there every single time to shoot every free throw in the game.”
That’s the kind of trust you earn, not by being flashy, but by being reliable - and Wilkerson continues to be exactly that.
Indiana’s Defense Steps Up When It Matters Most
Let’s be honest - Indiana’s defense has taken its lumps this season. But Saturday was a different story.
The Hoosiers held Wisconsin to just 38% shooting from the field and made life difficult inside the arc, where the Badgers managed just 42.9%. That’s a significant step forward for a team that had previously allowed over 1.22 points per possession in four straight losses.
Wisconsin still managed 1.126 points per possession, but that number was well below their usual efficiency, and Indiana’s defense came through in the biggest moments - including in overtime.
“A night like tonight, where you’re 5-for-22 from 3, typically the way our roster is built and how we’re playing, that’s a hard night for us,” Coach DeVries said. “We were able to win that game because we held them to 38 percent from the field. So our defense did just enough.”
There’s still room for improvement, but the signs are encouraging. If the Hoosiers can continue to string together defensive efforts like this one, they’ll give themselves a chance in just about every Big Ten game the rest of the way.
Bottom Line
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. A game where veterans stepped up, role players made game-saving plays, and Indiana showed it could grind out a win even when the offense wasn’t humming. For a team looking to build momentum heading into the back half of conference play, this was the kind of gritty, gutsy win that can spark a run.