Galloway, Leal step up for IU basketball Senior Day comeback against Ohio State
Galloway’s triple was his final made basket on a day when he eclipsed 1,000 career points and provided a team-high 16 points and dished out six assists. One of four starting seniors, the Hoosiers needed every contribution they could get from them to get the win.
It was Oumar Ballo who got things rolling early. Using his size advantage over 6-foot-9 Sean Stewart – the tallest Buckeye in the starting lineup – he notched five points, two rebounds and a block in the first six minutes.
However, it didn’t take long for things to get ugly for IU. After playing back-and-forth to start, the Hoosiers entered the under-eight media timeout shooting 3-for-19 from the field. Still, they managed to stay within six points.
Indiana trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but Galloway led a late push to close the frame and enter halftime trailing 29-25. It was an ugly half of basketball, but the Hoosiers managed to stay in it.
The most important 20 minutes of the season awaited – the half that would likely decide IU’s postseason path. Luke Goode canned his sole 3-pointer of the day and cut the deficit to one point and Ballo scored a pair of baskets inside.
Still, IU couldn’t grab the momentum. Ohio State scored possession after possession. Before long, the deficit inflated to 10 points – the only double-digit discrepancy in the game – with 12 minutes left.
At the under-12 media timeout, it was do or die. Mike Woodson, also in his Assembly Hall finale, had an advantage that couldn’t be coached.
“Seniors that didn’t want to lose,” Woodson said.
Led by the seniors, the switch flipped, and the run commenced.
Galloway assisted Anthony Leal for a layup, then Galloway drilled a triple to get the Assembly Hall crowd rocking. Malik Reneau took over with back-to-back scores inside.
Momentum was rising, then Leal burst it through the roof. He drew an offensive foul on John Mobley off of an inbounds play, which after review was deemed a flagrant 1 foul.
Leal made both free throws and a pair of Goode free throws followed on the next possession. All of a sudden, the game was tied with eight minutes left.
After a Buckeye push to get a five-point lead, it was more heroics. Another Galloway 3-pointer revived the stunted momentum and after four Reneau free throws Galloway launched from deep and connected to push the IU lead to five with under 90 seconds left.
From that point, all it took was converting free throws and stout defense to close things out. On a day when the seniors were celebrated, the quartet made sure to go out on their terms.
“I wasn’t going to take them out at the end,” Woodson said. “I mean, if you lose, you want to lose with your seniors on the floor. (But) I wasn’t thinking that way.”
Galloway was the star. After a career, and especially final season, filled with ups and downs, cheers and boos, and a rollercoaster of emotions and inconsistencies, it was Galloway who played hero to complete the comeback.
And while Galloway’s big shot stole the show, Leal was just as pivotal. Scrapping for loose balls, out-toughing bigger opponents for rebounds and making all the right plays, Leal’s efforts are perhaps the most valuable on the floor despite not receiving all the glory.
The pair of fifth-year Indiana natives aren’t just ordinary seniors. They’re the core of this IU team.
“We’ve won a lot of games in this building, and Trey has been a big part of that because he’s been with me from day one. Anthony has been a part of it from day one,” Woodson said. “I’m proud of all our players, but I’m proud of those two guys, especially, because they have been with me the longest.”
Goode and Ballo can’t be ignored, either. Both transfer portal additions in their only year as Hoosiers – unless Goode gets approved for one more year – they have each proved crucial with not only their play, but the leadership they’ve provided.
Saturday afternoon was a picture-perfect day for Indiana. IU solidified its position as the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten tournament to earn a single bye, added comfort in its NCAA tournament picture and sent out its seniors on a high note.
Still, more is left to be done. A postseason appearance isn’t guaranteed and Oregon awaits the Hoosiers just over a week removed from beating them in Eugene.
“We hope to start playing our best basketball right now because this is when it really counts going into the Big Ten tournament and March Madness,” Leal said. “For us, it’s learning from those little things and knowing our goals are all still right in front of us.”
Category: Media
Filed to: Anthony Leal, Ohio State Buckeyes, Trey Galloway
