BLOOMINGTON — The Indiana Hoosiers sprinted, scored, struggled and steamrolled in their basketball debut.

Struggled? Against Grace College, an NAIA team?

Hey, nobody said program restoration meant perfection, even in an exhibition opener.

Yes, IU won Wednesday night 96-73, but flaws were everywhere and coach Tom Crean noticed. That's what exhibitions are for. That's what you get when you play five freshmen extensively, when you install a brand-new system suited for up-tempo fury knowing mistakes will happen, especially early against a fundamentally sound opponent.

The Hoosiers overcame that with aggressive defense (forcing 25 turnovers with their 18 steals), solid shooting (46.7 percent) and relentless balance (six players scored in double figures, nine scored at least four points). They pushed the Lancers to the breaking point, and then beyond, with a 25-9 second-half knockout run.

“We pressured the ball,” coach Tom Crean said. “We felt if we kept the pressure up in the second half, there would come a time we'd be able to wear them down. I think that's what happened.”

The new-look Hoosiers started freshmen Christian Watford and Maurice Creek, plus junior Jeremiah Rivers, a transfer from Georgetown now eligible after redshirting last season. Three other freshmen — Jordan Hulls, Bobby Capobianco and Derek Elston — saw substantial action. The No. 1 senior option, guard Devan Dumes, was sidelined with a knee injury.

Watford led with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Hulls had 14 points, three assists and three steals. Rivers had 12 points. Elston had 10 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Verdell Jones had 10 points and eight assists. Sophomore forward Tom Pritchard had 12 points and seven rebounds.

“I don't put much emphasis on the points,” Crean said. “I put more emphasis on the rotation, playing through fatigue, taking quality shots. We did that.”

Grace did not come to play the patsy. It returned three starters from a 22-11 team that reached the NAIA Elite Eight for the second straight season. Its roster included former Blackhawk Christian standout Dayton Merrell and former Huntington North standout Tannan Peters. The 6-4 Merrell, who is sidelined with an injury, averaged 4.4 points last season. Peters, a freshman, had one rebound and one foul in three minutes.

“When we were sitting on the bus before the game, I told our young men, if you don't believe you can do this just sit on the bus,” coach Jim Kessler said. “When you determine you can get off the bus, let's go play.”

Grace didn't flinch amidst the Cream and Crimson atmosphere. With David Henry hitting three straight early three-pointers, the Lancers pushed ahead 16-12. They still led 26-25 at the eight-minute mark before the Hoosiers, fueled by baskets from Hulls, Elston and Watford ended the first half with a 6-0 run for a 42-36 halftime lead.

Grace twice closed within two points early in the second half before the Hoosiers surged to put the game away.

“Indiana is as young as a team can be,” Kessler said. “Their strength is in some of the young players. I don't care how talented you are, youth has to mature. You don't grow until you get on the court. You have to learn how to win together. I think they'll be a good team. It just takes some time.”

Added Crean: “We have a long way to go. We have a lot of room to improve, and there are a lot of things we haven't covered yet, but I love their mind-set, love their attitude to get better and their competitiveness. When they smelled blood they went for it.”