Buzzer breakdown: Juwan Morgan, Romeo Langford save IU blushes vs. UC Davis

Zach Osterman | IndyStar

BLOOMINGTON – Indiana was made to earn its 76-62 win Friday against UC Davis, with the Aggies threatening an upset for the better part of 40 minutes.

But talent, defense, better free-throw shooting and better ball security all saw the Hoosiers (5-1) through the holiday week unscathed. Here are three reasons why:

Insider: When things are going wrong, IU needs to find Juwan or Romeo

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Shades of last season’s lows

You could forgive the Indiana fan who saw at least a hint of last season's setbacks versus Indiana State or Fort Wayne in Friday night’s performance. The Hoosiers weren’t so short-handed as they’d been fighting off an upset bid from UT-Arlington on Tuesday. They had a fuller complement of players, with De’Ron Davis, Romeo Langford and Al Durham all back. Yet they fell behind early, let UC Davis get comfortable behind the 3-point line and committed enough destructive turnovers that the Aggies actually led by 14 at one point. It never reached the lows of last season, but Indiana looked blunt, sluggish and clumsy to start, and that forced the Hoosiers to dig out of their own hole for most of the night.

Insider Video: Hoosiers have to work for UC Davis win IU Insider Zach Osterman breaks down a 76-62 IU win over UC Davis on Friday night.

Stars step up

The biggest difference between that Indiana and this one? Juwan Morgan and Romeo Langford. Those are Indiana’s two unquestioned leading men this season, and they looked like it Friday. Morgan first, ripping off his own offensive run at one point and hitting the halftime locker room with 19 points and six rebounds. He finished with 31 and 10. Langford joined him in the second half, scoring at the rim and from behind the 3-point line. He finished with 20 points. Together, patiently but persistently, they brought Indiana back, then put the Hoosiers ahead inside six minutes remaining. This won’t be the last time Indiana is in trouble this season. On Friday night, the Hoosiers executed the formula for getting out of it.

Archie Miller meets media following UC Davis win IU coach Archie Miller speaks with reporters after his team’s 76-62 win against UC Davis.

Indiana closed out

Credit the Hoosiers for this much: When UC Davis finally stumbled, the Hoosiers wouldn’t let them get away with it. A 28-3 second-half run, helped by improved free-throw shooting, buried the Aggies. Morgan and Langford both hit big shots, and the Hoosiers finally made the foul disparity work for them. UC Davis coach Jim Les became frustrated enough to earn a technical foul. By that point, his team’s lead was long gone, IU was up double digits and the Aggies’ admirable fight was over.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

INDIANA 76, UC DAVIS 62

UC DAVIS (1-6) — John 5-10 0-0 14, Goode 2-5 0-0 4, Fuller 2-3 0-0 6, Shorts 6-11 4-4 16, Schneider 5-11 0-0 12, Russell 0-0 0-0 0, Neufeld 0-0 0-0 0, Mooney 1-3 0-0 3, Squire 0-0 0-0 0, Gonzalez 3-6 0-0 7, Printup 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-50 4-4 62.

INDIANA (5-1) — Smith 4-7 2-2 11, Morgan 13-18 0-2 31, Durham 2-3 6-8 12, Phinisee 1-5 0-0 2, Langford 6-12 6-9 20, Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Anderson 0-1 0-0 0, Fitzner 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 26-49 14-21 76.

Halftime—UC Davis 38-36. 3-Point Goals—UC Davis 10-20 (John 4-9, Fuller 2-2, Schneider 2-3, Mooney 1-2, Gonzalez 1-2, Shorts 0-1, Printup 0-1), Indiana 10-17 (Morgan 5-7, Durham 2-3, Langford 2-3, Smith 1-1, Fitzner 0-1, Phinisee 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—UC Davis 21 (Fuller, Goode 6), Indiana 22 (Morgan 10). Assists—UC Davis 11 (Shorts 7), Indiana 11 (Phinisee 8). Total Fouls—UC Davis 23, Indiana 9. Technicals—UC Davis team.