Box Score

DeKALB, Ill. -- The IUPUI women's basketball team got their 2008-09 season started in style Friday night, defeating Northern Illinois, 72-58, at the Convocation Center.  Jernisha Cann led the Jaguars with a career-high 23 points, while Janna Eichelberger had 15 points in her first collegiate contest.

IUPUI (1-0) had three players - Cann, Eichelberger and Nicole James - finish in double figures.  The three helped the Jaguars defeat Northern Illinois (0-1) for the third time in as many years. 

Throughout the night, the Jags used a swarming, opportunistic defense to pressure the Huskies, coming away with 33 points on 26 NIU turnovers.  Conversely, the Huskies had 14 points off 16 IUPUI miscues.  The Jags would need the defense down the stretch, as a late 12-2 NIU run threatened to steal the game from IUPUI.

However, with 1:23 to play, Brykeesha Tate came up with a steal, and Cann converted two of her 11 free throws on the offensive end, putting IUPUI up 64-56 with just over a minute to play.

The Jags controlled 32 of the 40 minutes of play, but used Eichelberger to overcome a shaky start to the game.  Trailing 6-0, Eichelberger came off the bench and became IUPUI's version of "The Microwave."  The West Columbia, S.C.-native knocked down a three from the top of the arc for her first collegiate bucket and hit a layup shortly thereafter.

With the score tied at 7, Eichelberger drained a long three from the wing, putting the Jags up 10-7 and fueling a 16-3 run that put IUPUI up, 16-9, early in the half.

The Huskies tied the game at 20, but again the IUPUI defense stepped up its intensity, coming away with 6 turnovers over the last 6:07 of the half, helping the Jags close the half on an 18-9 run.  Quanisha Turner provided the exclamation point to the run with a crossover dribble that left her defender backpedalling, leaving the lane wide open for Turner's layup.

At the half, IUPUI led, 38-29.

The Jaguars never pulled away in the second half, but managed to keep Northern Illinois at arm's length for most of the half.  Early, NIU cut the IUPUI lead to 5, but James grabbed an outlet pass and converted the layup to stem the Huskies' momentum and help IUPUI push their lead to 7.

The play gave IUPUI a spark, as three baskets by Cann and Eichelberger's third three-pointer of the night helped the Jaguars build a 55-44 lead with 8:21 remaining.

However, IUPUI would not hit another basket for the next 6:07, allowing Northern Illinois to close within 57-56 with 4:05 to play. 

The Jags crashed the glass in an effort to limit the Huskies' chances, and Julia Whitted came away with an offensive board on their next possession, creating free throw opportunities for Cann; the senior calmly knocked down both freebies to give IUPUI a three-point lead with 3:14 left on the clock.

Another defensive rebound fueled the Jags' break, and James corralled an offensive rebound and laid the ball in, pushing IUPUI's lead to 5.  After NIU answered with a jumper, Whitted converted a three-point play to make the score, 64-58, setting the stage for Tate's steal with 1:23 to play.

IUPUI sealed the game at the free-throw line, going 5-for-5 in the final 2:00 of play.

Going 10-deep on the roster, 8 players scored for IUPUI.

Cann had 8 rebounds for the Jags, leaving her 10 shy of the school's all-time record.  Her 11 free throws matched her career high, while her 16 attempts set a new career mark.

The Jaguars will head north on I-65 Sunday to West Lafayette, Ind., where they will take on Purdue at 2 p.m. ET.  Fans can listen to the game on XL950-AM, with Scott McCauley on play-by-play, or by clicking here.  The game will also be shown live on BigTenNetwork.com and can be followed via live stats.