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How it Happened: Indiana takes down Western Michigan at home

Browning Headshotby: Zach Browning4 hours agoZachBrowning17

Indiana women’s basketball returned to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday night for its final tune-up before Big Ten play, hosting a Western Michigan team that arrived in Bloomington rested and motivated after an eight-day layoff.

The Hoosiers, overcoming a sluggish first quarter and shorthanded frontcourt, pulled away late for a 71–53 win to improve to 8–1 on the season.

Here’s how it happened inside Assembly Hall.

Noyan steadies Indiana in the post with Socka-Nguemen sidelined

Indiana was without sophomore center Zania Socka-Nguemen for the second straight game, as she watched from the bench in a boot and scooter due to a lower-body injury. That left junior and Virginia transfer Edessa Noyan to anchor the paint once again — and she delivered one of her most complete performances in an IU uniform.

Noyan didn’t light up the scoreboard, but her impact was undeniable. She grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, logged a season-high 28 minutes and even knocked down a three as part of her seven points. With Western Michigan pushing Indiana early and winning the glass in the first quarter, Noyan’s steadiness helped prevent the deficit from growing.

In a game where Indiana didn’t have its usual interior presence, Noyan’s effort kept the Hoosiers afloat until the offense found more of its rhythm in the second half.

Hoosiers overcome slow start, flip momentum before halftime

Despite the Bronchos entering the night off a loss to a Division II opponent, Western Michigan wasn’t shy early — and their freshness showed.

The visitors punched first with a 9–0 run in the opening quarter, taking a seven-point lead and holding it for much of the first half. Indiana struggled to match the Broncos’ energy, shooting just 40 percent in the first period while getting outrebounded 10–5.

But Indiana finally broke through late in the second quarter. Defensive pressure picked up, transition chances started to appear, and the Hoosiers closed the half on a 15–5 run to take the lead for good. What began as a flat, disjointed start flipped into a controlled, composed finish to the half — one that allowed Indiana to settle in and gradually stretch the margin in the final 20 minutes.

Shay Ciezki powers Indiana’s offense

On a night when Indiana needed someone to take control offensively, senior guard Shay Ciezki delivered — and then some — as she has all season long.

Ciezki was Indiana’s most reliable scorer from the opening tip, keeping the Hoosiers within striking distance during their rocky first quarter and erupting for 15 first-half points. She didn’t cool off after the break, either.

By game’s end, Ciezki had turned in yet another strong performance: 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting, plus a team-high four assists. It was Ciezki’s fourth consecutive game scoring north of 20 points.

Whether creating off the dribble, pushing tempo, or knocking down rhythm jumpers, she gave Indiana the offensive spark it sorely needed. With the Hoosiers shorthanded in the post and searching for consistent scoring options, Ciezki’s poise and production were essential in guiding IU to a comfortable win.

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