Hoosiers Go Wild As Oumar Ballo Drops 23 Points To Take Down Southern California

Oumar Ballo scored a game-high 23 points Wednesday night as Indiana pulled away in the second half for an 82-69 Big Ten Conference win over visiting Southern California in Bloomington, Ind. Ballo was 9 of 11 from the field and made all five of his free-throw attempts, leading the Hoosiers to their seventh win of the season.

The game was closely contested in the first half, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. However, Indiana came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Trojans 43-35 to secure the victory. The Hoosiers shot 51.7 percent from the field, including 44.4 percent from 3-point range, while holding Southern California to 41.9 percent shooting.

Ballo's dominating performance was a key factor in the Hoosiers' win. The big man was unstoppable in the paint, using his quick feet and agile movements to get past defenders and score easy baskets. He also showed his range, knocking down a few mid-range jumpers to keep the Trojans' defense guessing.

In addition to Ballo's impressive outing, several other Hoosiers made significant contributions to the win. The team's point guard had a solid game, dishing out seven assists and scoring 12 points, while the power forward added 15 points and eight rebounds. The Hoosiers' bench also provided a spark, outscoring the Trojans' reserves 22-13.

The loss was a tough one for Southern California, which was looking to bounce back from a tough loss in its previous game. The Trojans were led by their star guard, who scored 20 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Hoosiers' balanced attack. The Trojans will look to regroup and get back on track in their next game, while Indiana will try to build on its momentum and keep rolling in the Big Ten Conference.

The win was a big one for the Hoosiers, who are looking to make a push for the NCAA Tournament. With the victory, Indiana improved to 7-2 on the season, while Southern California fell to 5-4. The Hoosiers will be back in action on Saturday, when they host another Big Ten opponent in a crucial conference matchup.