Second-Half Collapse Sinks IU Basketball in Loss at Northwestern
Indiana University’s basketball team, once brimming with optimism and swagger after a solid first half, found itself on the wrong side of a devastating collapse in their 75-63 loss to Northwestern. The game was a textbook example of how a single half can unravel a promising contest, as the Hoosiers crumbled under pressure and poor decision-making, unable to recover from a commanding Northwestern surge.
Indiana entered the second half with a six-point lead, seemingly in control and on the cusp of securing an important road victory in the Big Ten. Their offense had been efficient, and their defense—while not perfect—was enough to hold off the Wildcats for most of the first 20 minutes. Trayce Jackson-Davis had been a force, dominating in the post and showing why he is considered one of the best big men in the country. But as the game progressed, something changed. What looked like a typical IU victory quickly turned into a nightmare that left fans scratching their heads in disbelief.
The second half was an entirely different story. It wasn’t just a matter of missed shots or the occasional turnover—Indiana’s collective effort seemed to disintegrate. What stood out most was their inability to execute on offense. Point guard Xavier Johnson, who had been solid early on, became a liability as his decision-making faltered. Multiple fast-break opportunities were squandered due to poor passes and errant dribbles, and his frustration was evident. Northwestern, seizing on these mistakes, turned the game into a track meet, and their offense began to find rhythm, scoring in transition and exploiting gaps in IU’s defense.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s defense, which had been staunch in the first half, collapsed under the weight of Northwestern’s quick ball movement. The Wildcats hit three consecutive three-pointers early in the second half, and from that point on, the game began slipping away. The defensive lapses were glaring, especially when Northwestern’s guard play began to dissect IU’s defense with ease. Adversely, the Hoosiers couldn’t seem to find a way to stop the bleeding.
Perhaps the most controversial and telling aspect of the game was IU’s failure to respond mentally to the mounting pressure. While the Wildcats grew more confident, the Hoosiers appeared to lose composure. Head coach Mike Woodson’s attempts to change the tempo with substitutions were ineffective. The team seemed stuck in a rut, as if the pressure of the moment was too much for them to handle. The energy of the game seemed to tilt drastically in favor of Northwestern, who suddenly looked like the more disciplined and hungry team.
The fans in the crowd at Welsh-Ryan Arena, packed with Wildcats supporters, fed off this energy. The atmosphere became electric as the Hoosiers’ missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns piled up, and by the time Indiana managed to hit a couple of late baskets, it was far too little, too late. The scoreboard reflected a harsh reality: Northwestern had turned a six-point deficit into a 12-point advantage in just under 10 minutes, leaving IU with no room for a comeback.
The loss raises serious questions about Indiana’s mental toughness, especially in critical moments. This defeat was not just a product of poor shooting or missed opportunities; it was about a team failing to respond to the pressure and folding in a hostile environment. For a team that entered the game with high expectations and aspirations of a deep tournament run, this performance was troubling.
If IU hopes to salvage their season, they must figure out how to avoid the kind of second-half implosion they experienced at Northwestern. Whether it’s poor decision-making, lack of defensive intensity, or mental lapses, they can ill afford to let such issues define their season. For now, however, the Hoosiers will have to lick their wounds and try to regroup as they face even tougher challenges ahead in the Big Ten.
