Indiana women's basketball cruises past Tennessee Tech in first round of NCAA Tournament
The Indiana women's basketball team begins its quest for an NCAA Tournament title today.
No. 1 IU (27-3) hosts No. 16 Tennessee Tech (23-9) in the first round after the Golden Eagles' win over Monmouth in a play-in game on Thursday. This is IU's ninth NCAA tournament appearance, and its first as a No. 1-seed, marking the third consecutive season it has received the highest seed in program history.
Earlier in the week it was announced Mackenize Holmes made the AP All-American first team. Grace Berger was named to the honorable mention team.
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Brian Haenchen will have live updates throughout, and we will have highlights here. Please remember to refresh.
FINAL: Indiana 77, Tennessee Tech 47
Tennessee Tech showed a lot of heart and played well early on, but Indiana showed why it is a No. 1 seed.
Sydney Parrish led IU with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Grace Berger had 17 points while Yarden Garzon had 12 points.
The Hoosiers shot 58% from the floor while Tech shot 28%.
Mackenzie Holmes did not play.
7:29 left 4Q: Indiana 63, Tennessee Tech 39
Indiana opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run. Chloe Moore-McNeil made a 3-pointer during that span.
End of 3Q: Indiana 56, Tennessee Tech 39
Indiana outscored Tennessee Tech 17-12 in the third quarter. IU's 3-point shooting has improved, as they are up to 31% now.
Grace Berger and Sydney Parrish have 15 points each.
On the cut. ⚡️@sydney_parrish | #IUWBB pic.twitter.com/3jcA2bAJMb
— Indiana Women’s Basketball (@IndianaWBB) March 18, 2023
4:46 left 3Q: Indiana 47, Tennessee Tech 31
Sydney Parrish's 3-point at the 6:43 mark gave Indiana a 21-point lead, but Tech has cut into that a little. Parrish has 10 points.
7:38 left 3Q: Indiana 44, Tennessee Tech 27
Indiana opened up the third quarter with a 5-0 run.
Yarden Garzon sunk a 3-pointer. She has 8 points so far.
HALFTIME: Indiana 39, Tennessee Tech 27
It was tight for a little while, but Indiana has turned on the heat and has a comfortable lead. IU outscored Tech in the second quarter, 21-9.
Grace Berger is playing well with 13 points and 4 rebounds. The Hoosiers are shooting 56% from the floor, but its 3-point shooting has struggled (2 for 7).
While Mackenzie Holmes was announced as limited, we have not seen her yet.
One pass, two pass, layup! #IUWBB pic.twitter.com/ySUa4NL1UO
— Indiana Women’s Basketball (@IndianaWBB) March 18, 2023
5:31 left: Indiana 26, Tennessee Tech 22
The Hoosiers are on a nice 8-2 run after Tennessee Tech took a 20-18 earlier in the second quarter.
Lexus Bargesser has back-to-back baskets for IU. Lilly Meister, who notched her first career start with Mackenzie Holmes limited, has 7 points.
TIC TAC TOE, FOUR IN A ROW#MarchMadness x @IndianaWBB pic.twitter.com/femBvm6WaD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 18, 2023
End of 1Q: Indiana 18, Tennessee Tech 18
We've got a game on our hands. Tennessee Tech is 4 for 6 from 3-point range, but is shooting 37% from the floor. Tech also has 7 fouls already.
Indiana is shooting 50% from the floor but just 17% from 3 (1 for 6). Grace Berger leads all scorers with 9 points.
4:30 left 1Q: Indiana 14, Tennessee Tech 14
Tech came out quickly and is holding its own against IU early with 4 3-pointers. Grace Berger leads the Hoosiers with 6 points. Mackenzie Holmes, who is limited in this one, has not seen the floor so far.
The good news so far for Indiana is that it has already drawn 5 fouls against the Golden Eagles.
Maaliya Owens is heating up from behind the arc 🔥#MarchMadness x @TTUWBB pic.twitter.com/EY3R4VS0oT
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 18, 2023
Mackenzie Holmes will be limited vs. Tennessee Tech
On Saturday, IU announced its All-American forward will be limited vs. Tennessee Tech with knee soreness.
Freshman forward Lilly Meister will make her first career start.
Holmes is back out here for warm-ups. pic.twitter.com/6F5WfVJIOa
— hank 🇰🇷 (@Brian_Haenchen) March 18, 2023
More:Mackenzie Holmes (knee) will be limited in first round vs. Tennessee Tech
What channel is IU women's basketball on?
Time: 11:30 a.m. ET Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: 105.1 FM in Bloomington, SiriusXM Channel 205
Indiana women's basketball news
Indiana basketball:March Madness reunites Garzon sisters in Bloomington: 'It was a very special moment.'
IU women:Chloe Moore-McNeil is unsung glue for No. 1 seed IU women’s basketball: 'She's a fighter.'
March Madness:A first-time No. 1 seed, IU glad to see more parity in women's college basketball
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NCAA Tournament: IU women's basketball vs. Tennessee Tech updates
