Grace Berger's return to the floor for No. 6 Indiana couldn't have come at a better time. The super senior played her first minutes since going down with a left knee injury on Nov. 25 and delivered 16 points, five assists and two steals in 27 minutes.

Berger was grateful to be back on the court after missing eight games.

“It felt really great, almost like surreal because it feels like it's been forever since I played a game,” Berger said postgame. “Definitely a little nervous and really anxious at first. I feel really fortunate that I had a chance to get back out there with a good bit of the season left.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches the action Friday, March 14, 2025, in a quarterfinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Tournament between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood gets lucrative 6-year contract extension
Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) dribbles against St. John's Red Storm guard Aaron Scott (0) during the second half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Boogie Fland spurning NBA Draft to return to college, but there’s a catch
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against the Houston Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Duke basketball sparks Cooper Flagg hype in Dallas after NBA draft lottery

“We initially had kind of a timeline when I first got injured, so I knew I'd be back around this time. It was easy to be positive and work hard every day on myself. While I was out for that six weeks or so, it was great to see some of the younger kids get an opportunity, just see them get that confidence. The depth is something that's going to separate us down the road.”

Mackenzie Holmes, who injured her left knee last season around the same time Berger did this year, has helped keep the Hoosiers' ship afloat. She had 24 points and 13 rebounds yesterday, bumping her season averages to 21.1 PPG and 8.0 RPG. Holmes knows her team is going to need Berger, an all-Big Ten first team selection last year, to be successful when it matters most.

“Having Grace back helps in all aspects of the game,” Holmes said. “Offensively, defensively, as a leader. We all know what Grace means to us as an all-around player.”