Box Score
CEDAR CITY, Utah – Given six chances to either tie the game or take the lead, the IUPUI women’s basketball team faltered down the stretch, dropping a 61-56 heartbreaker to Southern Utah Saturday night at Centrum Arena.
IUPUI (4-10, 0-2 Summit) trimmed an eight-point deficit to one with 1:25 remaining, but could not convert in three successive trips down the court.
Still, the Jaguars gained new life when Southern Utah’s Caitlyn Sears could not convert at the free throw line. This time, another Whitted shot was off the mark, but Cunningham gained the offensive rebound. Her driving layup with 32 seconds to play didn’t fall, and the Thunderbirds gained the rebound.
After two free throws for Sears fell, the Jaguars set up a three-point attempt for Jessica Bennett, but her shot from the corner did not fall, and the Thunderbirds sealed the game at the line.
The end was a poor way to end a good night for Whitted, who posted her third double-double of the season, tallying 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds - collecting 10 points and 11 boards in the first half alone.
Down five at the half, Southern Utah (3-11, 1-2 Summit) used a 10-3 run in the final 20 minutes to get back in the game.
In the first 4:46 of the second half, the Thunderbirds hit 5-of-10 shots from the floor, compared to the Jaguars’ 1-of-3. Four offensive rebounds kept Southern Utah possessions alive, and they converted the opportunities into 8 second-chance points.
Southern Utah was able to find a groove offensively, with guard Erin Heuett picking up the slack from IUPUI’s defensive effort on Anne Westwood. While Westwood finished below her season averages of 12.1 points and 10.1 rebounds, Heuett knocked down 7-of-9 field goals and 7-of-10 free throws to finish with 21 points – 15 above her season average.
The Thunderbirds’ hustle enabled them to build an eight-point lead with seven minutes to play. Over a stretch of 10:37, IUPUI knocked down just two baskets, a runner by Brittany Ransom and a jumper by Nicole James as the Jaguars saw their 42-40 lead turn into a 55-47 deficit.
Still, IUPUI rediscovered their defense in time to mount a spirited comeback and put a scare into the crowd of 1,111. A jumper by Cann cut the Thunderbird lead to six, and a James three from the wing made it a one-possession game.
Whitted went to the free throw line for a one-and-one and missed the first, only to be given a reprieve when Southern Utah committed a lane violation. The Staunton, Ind.-native knocked down the next two freebies to make it a one-point game and set up the Jaguars to take a lead they never regained.
SUU went to the free throw line 16 times in the half, knocking down 12 to hold off the Jags. For the game, Southern Utah outscored IUPUI, 22-13, at the charity stripe.
Despite shooting 34.5 percent in the opening 20 minutes, the Jags controlled the glass, outrebounding Southern Utah, 25-14. IUPUI enjoyed a 16-5 advantage on the offensive glass, leading to 14 second chance points.
The Jaguars took control midway through the first half with a stifling defense, holding Southern Utah without a field goal over a span of 6:57. The Jags were able to turn a 17-14 deficit into a 26-18 lead before the Thunderbirds responded with a three of their own.
Two three-point plays, one by Cann, and one by Brittany Ransom, allowed IUPUI to steadily increase their lead. Cann drove baseline, laid the ball in and hit the free throw to give the Jags the lead, 20-17, with 7:34 to go in the half.
Off a loose, ball Brykeesha Tate fed Ransom, who pulled away from the defender to lay the ball in while being fouled. The subsequent free throw gave the Jags their eight-point lead, their largest of the game.
At the half, IUPUI led, 31-25.
Cann led the Jaguars with 16 points.
IUPUI will continue their road trip on Monday night, when they take on the UMKC Kangaroos. The game will begin at 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. EST) from the Swinney Recreation Center and can be seen on SummitTV.
