Game recap: IU basketball beats Kennesaw State 100-87 on Big Ten Plus (2024)

The Indiana men's basketball team is back in action today after more than a week off.

Today the Hoosiers (9-3) host Kennesaw State (9-4) for a nonconference matchup on Big Ten Plus. IU is on a two-game win streak after victories over North Alabama and Morehead State.

Zach Osterman,Michael NiziolekandZion Brownwill have analysis throughout, and we will have scoring updates, highlights and more.Please remember to refresh.

Final: Indiana 100, Kennesaw State 87

Six Hoosiers scored in double-digits. Malik Reneau led the team with 34 points and 11 rebounds. Mackenzie Mgbako and Trey Galloway had 14 points each.

IU shot 61% from the floor and 47% from 3. The Hoosiers turned the ball over 18 times.

1:49 left 2H: IU up by double-digits late

Malik Reneau now has 31 points. He is 12 of 17 from the field.

Indiana 97, Kennesaw State 82

3:25 left 2H: Indiana up by 15 late against Kennesaw State

Five IU players have scored in double digits now (Malik Reneau at 29, Mackenzie Mgbako at 14, Kaleb Banks at 11, Payton Sparks at 10 and Anthony Walker at 10).

Indiana 92, Kennesaw State 77

6:13 left 2H: Indiana up big

The Hoosiers have made 11 straight points. IU is shooting 60% from the floor while the Owls are at 44%.

Indiana 85, Kennesaw State 71

7:39 left 2H: IU starting to pull away

Indiana has distanced itself a little bit, but it's far from over. Malik Reneau is up to 23 points and Mackenzie Mgbako is at 14.

Indiana 81, Kennesaw State 71

11:42 left 2H: IU gets the lead back against Kennesaw State

Kennesaw State tied it up at 62-62 with two free throws after the IU bench was called for a technical foul. Simeon Cottle gave the Owls their first lead with a 3-pointer at 14:02. Terrell Burden made another 3 for Kennesaw State, which gave the Owls a 68-64 advantage with 13:16 left.

Kaleb Banks then scored 3 consecutive points for IU. Malik Reneau made a layup to give the Hoosiers the lead back.

Indiana 69, Kennesaw State 68

15:50 left 2H: Payton Sparks nearly has a double-double for IU

As has been mentioned before, Payton Sparks is playing very well in his role tonight. He is at 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists. Sparks hasn't missed a shot either (4 for 4).

Indiana 60, Kennesaw State 55

17:01 left 2H: Indiana leads by 5 to open second half

So far IU has outscored Kennesaw State 6-5 in the second half. The Hoosiers are shooting 53% from the floor for the game. Payton Sparks is having a solid game for Indiana with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Indiana 56, Kennesaw State 51

Halftime: Indiana 50, Kennesaw State 46

Kennesaw State isn't going away and is slowly chipping away at the lead. The Owls' Terrell Burden sunk a 3-pointer at 1:54 to cut Indiana's lead to 46-42. A minute later, Burden drove the lane and made a layup to make it a one-score game.

Mackenzie Mgbako leads the team with 14 points and Malik Reneau has 13. IU started hot from 3 but went cold later in the half. The Hoosiers haven't made a shot from long distance since the 13:20 mark.

3:52 left 1H: IU holds 9-point lead despite turnovers

Turnovers have been a little bit of an issue for IU. The Hoosiers have 9. Indiana has made 62% of its shots from the floor (16-26), so that is a big reason IU is keeping a bit of distance.

Indiana 43, Kennesaw State 34

7:44 left 1H: Hoosiers hold a 13-point lead

Indiana went up by 11 points with a Malik Reneau dunk at the 10:22 mark. While IU is shooting very well, Kennesaw State is also doing a good job in that department. The Owls have already attempted 10 3s and have converted half of those.

Payton Sparks, who started in place of Kel'el Ware, has 5 points and 3 blocks already.

Indiana 37, Kennesaw State 24

12:20 left 1H: Indiana leads by 9

Indiana isn't missing much. So far, the Hoosiers are 10 of 12 (83%) from the floor. They also haven't missed a 3 (5 for 5). All 12 of Mackenzie Mgbako's points have gone from 3-pointers.

Indiana 27, Kennesaw State 18

15:49 left 1H: Mackenzie Mgbako starts hot for Indiana

Mackenzie Mgbako knocked down a 3-pointer in Indiana's first possession. Quincy Ademokoya tied it up with a 3 of his own. But Mgbako answered that 3 with another 3. A little over a minute later, Mgbako hit his third 3-pointer of the game. Malik Reneau made a 3 as well.

Indiana 18, Kennesaw State 8

Kel'el Ware out for IU basketball

Indiana center Kel'el Ware will miss tonight's game. Read more here.

What time is Indiana basketball vs. Kennesaw State?

6 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

What channel is IU basketball on tonight?

TV: BTN+ app

Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network (105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.1 FM in Indianapolis), with Don Fischer (play-by-play), Errek Suhr (analysis) and John Herrick (updates)

Streaming: SiriusXM Channel 372, Varsity Network, ESPN+,Fubo,Paramount+,Sling

Indiana basketball news

How to watch:Indiana men's basketball vs. Kennesaw State start time on Big Ten Plus app

A Christmas gift for IU fans:3-point shooting. Hoosiers hit 12 3s to bury North Alabama.

TJD:Warriors Stephen Curry impressed with ex-Indiana basketball star Trayce Jackson-Davis

IU basketball schedule