Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana and Kentucky face off in the girl's All-Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

"We just came out with a different type of intensity today," Indiana Miss Basketball Gracyn Gilliard said. "Our focus on the defensive end really pushed us."

Indiana's defensive pressure showed throughout the night. The team forced 24 turnovers, converted them into 28 points and held a 53-38 rebounding edge.

For Butler-bound forward Laniah Wills, the approach was simple.

"The plan was to have a bunch of energy, start it off, throw the first punch, don't let them get started," Wills said.

Indiana led 21-15 after the opening quarter before creating separation in the second.

"I love how we got started," Wills said. "We had energy on the bench, we were doing little chants and stuff.

"They also were just getting very tired and we kind of have more stamina, so we were just running them up and down the court."

Indiana's balanced attack featured four players scoring at least 13 points.

Gilliard, Wills and Brooklynn Renn shared team-high scoring honors with 15 points apiece. Gilliard also grabbed eight rebounds, while Wills filled the stat sheet with six assists, six rebounds and four steals.

Renn, a Kansas-bound forward from Silver Creek and the recipient of the Hoosier Shooting Academy MVP award, also pulled down 11 rebounds to record a double-double. Vanessa Rosswurm chipped in 13 points.

"I think we really came together in the end," said Renn, cousin to Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn. "Just knowing that we are the better team, trusting in each other and ultimately just not giving up on each other."

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Renn said Indiana's defense centered on containing Kentucky's top scoring threats, Ashlinn James and Brianna Wilkins, while concentrating on its own execution. James was Kentucky's Miss Basketball and will play for Indiana next season.

"I think the lead that we gained early helped us a lot," Renn said. "Just keeping them contained and also just worrying about us. It's not about them, it's about us."

Beyond the result, the victory capped a week-long experience that brought together many of the state's top seniors, several of whom spent their high school careers competing against one another before becoming teammates.

"I'm happy I got to do it with the girls that I've been playing with and playing against my whole life," Wills said. "I'm happy that we got to get Kentucky finally."

For Gilliard, the relationships formed throughout the week will be just as memorable as the win.

"It's been a really fun experience," Gilliard said. "It's a long week, but I had a blast with the team and with the coaches, and it's definitely an experience I'd recommend."

Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana All-Stars girls basketball score, stats in win over Kentucky