IU Basketball Defeats Syracuse 83-80 in Indianapolis
The Hoosiers secured their third straight win with late free throws, extending their undefeated start to the 2026-27 season.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Indiana University basketball players closed the gap on Syracuse with a final-minute burst of scoring, winning 83-80 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The victory keeps the Hoosiers undefeated with a 3-0 record this season.
The game remained tight through the final three minutes, with IU trailing by one point. Markus Burton hit a corner three-pointer to put the home team ahead. Syracuse quickly tied the score, but Bryce Lindsay secured a rebound and finished a driving layup. Darren Harris then converted all three free throws after a foul on his three-point attempt, giving IU a permanent lead with just over a minute left on the clock.
Head coach Darian DeVries praised the team's willingness to take shots. "I like their confidence to step into shots," DeVries said. "We want that. You got to believe in the work that you put in and our guys have put in the work." He noted that executing in high-pressure moments is a major focus for the squad.
Junior guard Jaeden Mustaf emphasized the team's unity. "We’re going to come out and fight and we’re going to stay together at all times," Mustaf said. "I think we built a great bond together just over the summer and into now."
Burton and Harris each scored 20 points. Mustaf added 18, while Lindsay contributed 11 off the bench. IU controlled the boards, outbounding Syracuse 37-28 and grabbing 14 offensive rebounds. The team shot 42% from the field, 36% from three-point range, and 85% from the free-throw line, making 22 of 25 attempts.
The Hoosiers host Tennessee Tech on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
