Wednesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall felt heavy. Not just because of the humid January air outside, but because of the scoreboard inside. If you’re looking for the latest indiana women's basketball score, the reality is a bit of a gut punch for the cream and crimson faithful: Washington 82, Indiana 63.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
The Hoosiers are currently staring at a 0-8 record in Big Ten play. Honestly, that's a sentence most fans didn't think they'd read in 2026. For a program that basically became the gold standard of the conference under Teri Moren, this season is a massive departure from the "norm." The loss to Washington marks the seventh straight conference defeat, and it wasn't particularly close.
The Breakdown of the 82-63 Loss
The game started off slow. Sorta sluggish. It took Washington two full minutes just to find the bottom of the net after missing free throws. Indiana actually hung around for a bit, trailing only 13-11 late in the first quarter. But then the wheels started to wobble. Washington closed the frame on a 9-0 run, and suddenly the Hoosiers were chasing a 24-13 lead.
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Shay Ciezki did everything she could. She's a senior, she's a leader, and she played like it, dropping 23 points and tying her season high with seven triples. Watching her, you’ve got to appreciate the effort. She’s the one trying to keep the boat afloat when the waves are crashing in.
Maya Makalusky, a freshman forward from Fishers, is definitely a bright spot in the darkness. She finished with 16 points and hit four shots from deep. When she gets going, you can see the future of this program. She had eight of those points in the fourth quarter, but by then, the Huskies had already pushed the lead to nearly 30.
Why the Hoosiers Can’t Close the Gap
The defensive side of the ball is where things are getting messy. Against Iowa on Sunday, Indiana held the Hawkeyes to just 56 points. That was a defensive masterclass, even in a 56-53 loss. But against Washington? They gave up 41 points in the first half alone. It's that inconsistency that is killing them. One night they’re a lockdown unit, and the next, they’re giving up wide-open looks in transition.
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Coach Teri Moren isn't sugarcoating it. She’s been vocal about this being a "process" for a young team. And yeah, it’s young. Losing veterans like Sydney Parrish and Mackenzie Holmes left a void that is harder to fill than most people realize. You don't just replace that kind of institutional knowledge overnight.
Currently, the Hoosiers sit at 11-8 overall. On paper, it doesn't look like a total disaster until you look at that 0-8 conference mark. They are desperate for a win. Basically, they need to figure out how to put four quarters together instead of just two or three.
Looking Ahead to Ohio State
The next chance to fix the indiana women's basketball score comes on Thursday, Jan. 22. They’re heading to Columbus to take on No. 14 Ohio State. It’s a tall order. The Buckeyes are fast, they press, and they don't let you breathe.
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Indiana has had success against Ohio State in the past—who could forget the 71-61 upset back in February of 2025? But this is a different roster and a different momentum. To pull off a win, they’ll need Ciezki to remain elite and someone like Lenée Beaumont to provide that secondary scoring punch consistently. Beaumont had some nice moments against Washington, including a buzzer-beating runner at the half, but they need that production for the full 40 minutes.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the 3-point Line: Indiana hit 12 triples against Washington. That's their identity right now. If they aren't hitting at least 10, they don't have the interior presence to win games.
- The Rotation: Keep an eye on the minutes for Nevaeh Caffey and Maya Makalusky. These freshmen are getting "trial by fire" experience that will be crucial for the 2027 season.
- The Schedule: The upcoming road trip is brutal. If they can’t steal one in Columbus or West Lafayette (for the Barn Burner Trophy on Jan. 25), the pressure on the home game against Rutgers will be immense.
The scoring gap isn't just about talent; it's about confidence. Right now, this team looks like they're waiting for something bad to happen. Breaking the cycle starts with one defensive stop at a time.