Lamar Wilkerson set the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall ablaze with his shooting prowess as Indiana men's basketball romped to a 113-72 victory over Penn State, with the senior guard dropping a career-high and building record 44 points on an astounding 16-for-22 shooting performance. FOX59 reports that Wilkerson was feeling it from downtown, sinking 10 three-pointers to set another record for the Hoosiers, contributing to the team's 17 total threes which tied for third in program history.
The domination started early and Indiana never looked back, leading by as many as 49 points in a game that saw them shoot 69% from the field and 55% from beyond the arc, according to details from IndyStar, this certainly showcased what the team can be when firing on all cylinders; Indiana's coach, Darian DeVries, aiming to have his team replicate this form in the significant home dates to follow, surely got more than he bargained for as Wilkerson's firepower was on full display. The team's sharing of the ball was equally impressive with 30 assists on 42 made baskets contributing significantly to the night's success.
While the stats tell a story of basketball dominance, the humbler side of athletes shone through in post-game reflections, with Lamar Wilkerson attributing his success on the court to teamwork and preparation, "All credit to my team and the coaches," he stated in an interview obtained by Sports Illustrated. His teammate, Reed Bailey, not surprised by Wilkerson's performance, commended his work ethic, adding that Lamar "works his butt off."
Notably, Wilkerson, who had been struggling with his shot in recent games, saw this as a reversal of fortune, the "Hole looked big as the ocean today," he told Sports Illustrated, seemingly every shot he threw up was destined for the net while Bailey flawlessly executed, capitalizing on the opened-up floor for his perfect shooting night, crediting his team's unselfish play for his success. The implications of this explosive win ripple beyond just the scoreboard, as Indiana squares their sights on the upcoming Kentucky game.
