“Win or go home”: Indiana’s emotional 89-56 tournament triumph.
All-American Mackenzie Holmes is on her final journey, but it’s far from over. The Indiana Hoosiers, seeded No. 4, secured a resounding 89-56 victory at home against No. 13-seed Fairfield and will progress to the Round of 32 on Monday. Throughout her five seasons in Bloomington (excluding the COVID-19 year), Holmes has consistently led the Hoosiers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. However, they have yet to reach a Final Four or claim a national championship.
The Hoosiers were optimistic about their prospects last year as they were awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and were widely regarded as the top team in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, their tournament run ended prematurely with a defeat to Miami in the second round at Assembly Hall, leaving a lingering disappointment.
Sydney Parrish acknowledged this sentiment, stating, “We always think back to last year. It’s always in the back of our mind – last year and how we felt. We knew we had to play with a lot of emotion.”
For Holmes, this season is crucial as it marks her final year of eligibility. Her focus has always been on team success rather than personal accolades. She expressed her determination, saying, “It’s March. We know it’s win or go home, and I don’t want this to be my last game in an Indiana jersey, so I’m willing to do whatever it takes for my team to get a win.”
During Saturday’s matchup, Holmes exhibited intense emotions both on the court and from the bench, displaying her passion and commitment to her team’s success. Head coach Teri Moren praised Holmes’s leadership, stating, “I think anytime her teammates see her getting excited, getting fired up in those timeouts, I think they all get excited with her because they understand and realize how much it means to Mack.”
Now fully healthy after a knee injury, Holmes is determined to make the most of her final opportunity for postseason success. Her dedication is echoed by the Indiana women’s basketball fans who fervently support her and the team as they pursue their postseason aspirations.
