I think the thinking is - I am down my starting PG, I am trailing at the half by 11 and this game is important but not essential so I am not necessarily going to try everything possible in the second half to make this a game and give them more information. Hopefully in two weeks I have my PG back, I'm at home, and we play a better first half.
I also think Geno probably kept some wrinkles in the bag for later games. Both these guys know that they are probably playing three times before the NCAA and may play again in the NCAAs. Neither of the regular season games really matter that much to either team in the big plan.