Photo Gallery: Best Pictures From Indiana's Loss to UConn on Sunday

Indiana traveled to New York to play in the Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Matched with No. 5 Connecticut, this was by far Indiana's toughest challenge to date. The Hoosiers fell 77-57, dropping to 3-1 on the season. Here are the best pictures from the game.

Becky Rigel | Nov 19, 2023

Photo Gallery: Best Pictures From Indiana's Loss to UConn on Sunday /

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NEW YORK — Indiana traveled to New York for some early season tournament play at Madison Square Garden this weekend. The Empire Classic boasts a nice lineup of teams this year, which includes Indiana, UConn, Texas and Louisville.

This also marks the third year that the Empire Classic honors the work of the Wounded Warrior Project by bringing veterans together to bond over college hoops. Three of the four teams are also honoring wounded veterans as honorary captains. Indiana is hosting James Smith, an Army veteran and Nick Morrison, a marine veteran.

The No. 5 Connecticut Huskies challenged Indiana at every turn, and while there were bright spots offensively, defensively the Hoosiers succumbed to foul trouble with Malik Reneau fouling out during the middle of the second half. Xavier Johnson also had four fouls which held him to limited playing time during the second half of the game.

Malik Reneau led the team in scoring with 18 points, Kel'el Ware had 11 points on for the Hoosiers and senior Trey Galloway added 10 points. CJ Gunn also contributed seven points.

The Hoosiers will play Louisville on Monday in the third-place game of the Empire Classic. The game is at 4:30 ET on ESPNU.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

GAME STORY: Indiana needed to be at its best to hang with No. 5 Connecticut on Sunday, but foul trouble and an inability to rebound or knock down big shots caught up with them in a 77-57 loss to the Huskies at Madison Square Garden. CLICK HERE
PHOTO GALLERY: Indiana traveled to New York to play in the Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Matched with No. 5 Connecticut, this was by far Indiana's toughest challenge to date. The Hoosiers fell 77-57, dropping to 3-1 on the season. Here are the best pictures from the game. CLICK HERE
LIVE BLOG: Relive all the action from Indiana and UConn in real time with Tom Brew's blog. CLICK HERE
WATCH MALIK RENEAU'S BIG FINISH: Indiana sophomore forward Malik Reneau led the Hoosiers with 15 points in the first half, including a strong finish through contact just before the buzzer. Here's the highlight. CLICK HERE
INDIANA FULL SEASON SCHEDULE: The 2023-24 Indiana basketball schedule is now finalized, with both the Big Ten schedule and nonconference slate announced, plus game time and television designations released for most games. We'll update this file throughout the season as necessary. CLICK HERE

Kel'el Ware

Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) is guarded by Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.

James Smith

Retired Army Specialist James W. Smith served as Indiana's honorary captain for the Empire Classic, which supports the Wounded Warrior Project.

ChildrenSong of NJ

The National Anthem performed by ChildrenSong of NJ before the start of the Indiana vs. UConn game. ChildrenSong of NJ is a non-profit community chorus program based in Haddonfield, NJ.

Mike Woodson

Indiana Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson looks on during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden.

Kel'el Ware

Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) dribbles against Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.

Trey Galloway

Connecticut Huskies guard Cam Spencer (12) dribbles against Indiana Hoosiers guard Trey Galloway (32) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.

Kel'el Ware

Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) rebounds against Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) and forward Samson Johnson (35) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.

Mackenzie Mgbako

Indiana Hoosiers forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) shoots as Connecticut Huskies guard Solomon Ball (1) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Malik Reneau

Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) and Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5) react after a play during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Xavier Johnson

Indiana Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson (0) dribbles against Connecticut Huskies guard Hassan Diarra (10) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Malik Reneau

Indiana Hoosiers forward Malik Reneau (5) looks to pass as Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Mike Woodson

Indiana Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson talks with an official during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden.

CJ Gunn

Indiana Hoosiers guard CJ Gunn (11) goes to the basket against Connecticut Huskies guard Tristen Newton (2) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Trey Galloway

Indiana Hoosiers guard Trey Galloway (32) drives to the basket as Connecticut Huskies guard Cam Spencer (12) and forward Alex Karaban (11) defend during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Kel'el Ware

Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) and Indiana Hoosiers center Kel'el Ware (1) reach for a rebound during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony Walker

Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) battles Indiana Hoosiers forward Anthony Walker (4) for a rebound during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

CJ Gunn

Connecticut Huskies guard Tristen Newton (2) dribbles as Indiana Hoosiers guard CJ Gunn (11) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Xavier Johnson

Indiana Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson (0) dribbles in front of Connecticut Huskies guard Tristen Newton (2) during the second half at Madison Square Garden

Anthony Walker

Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) passes the ball as Indiana Hoosiers forward Anthony Walker (4) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Gabe Cupps

Connecticut Huskies guard Hassan Diarra (10) dribbles against Indiana Hoosiers guard Gabe Cupps (2) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.

Published Nov 19, 2023

BECKY RIGEL

Becky Rigel is director of marketing and advertising for HoosiersNow.com and all other Hilltop30 Publishing Group entities. She is a southern Indiana native, and an Indiana graduate.