Trayce Jackson-Davis did it all with 24 points, 11 rebounds, five blocked shots and five assists as Indiana defeated 13th-seeded Kent State 71-60 on Friday night to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time. since 2016.
The fourth-seeded Hoosiers (23-11) advanced to play Sunday’s fifth-seeded Miami for a trip to Kansas City for the Midwest Region semifinals.
Jackson-Davis became the first player since blocks became an official NCAA statistic in 1985-86 to have at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and five assists in an NCAA Tournament game, according to OptaSTATS.
The last of the 32 first-round games to start was played in front of the majority of Indiana fans and their team pulled off a non-dramatic victory to cap off what was already a pretty good day. Earlier, the Hoosiers’ in-state rival Purdue became the second No. 1 seed in tournament history to lose to a 16th seed when Fairleigh Dickinson pulled off the upset in Columbus, Ohio.
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Race Thompson #25 and Trayce Jackson-Davis #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers react in the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, NY. (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
Mid-American Conference champion Kent State couldn’t muster any such magic, shooting 32% from the field. Sincere Carry scored 15 points to lead the Golden Flashes (28-7), who had won six straight before the tournament.
Well past midnight, Jackson-Davis shook up MVP Arena with a spectacular six straight points in the second half. The run started with a one-handed dunk, flying down the lane. Next was a smooth drive from the baseline, followed by a spinning layup to make it 62-50 with 7:39 remaining.
Race Thompson matched a season high with 20 points for the Hoosiers on 8-for-11 shooting.
The Hoosiers were 35-27 at halftime when Thompson took advantage of a Kent State defense that worked hard to limit Jackson-Davis. Thompson scored 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson speaks to his team in the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York . (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON BEATS TOP SEED PURDUE AND BECOMES THE SECOND 16 SEED TO BEAT A NO. 1 IN THE HISTORY OF MARCH MADNESS
Meanwhile, Jackson-Davis made more than his presence felt with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks, including a chasing shot from Jalen Sullinger on a layup in the closing seconds of the half.
BIG PICTURE
Kent State: Their last NCAA victory was in 2002, when the Golden Flashes made an amazing run to the Elite Eight before being eliminated by Indiana.
Indiana: The Hoosiers played a quiet night with star freshman Jalen Hood Schifino, who scored eight points while dealing with foul trouble.
Miller Kopp #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a basket in the second half against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. ((Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images))
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Indiana: The Hoosiers have played the Hurricanes once, losing 58-53 in Miami in December 2001.