Box Score

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Jernisha Cann set a school record with her sixth consecutive double-double, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Jaguars cruised to a 61-45 win over Howard University on Saturday in the consolation game of the Robert Morris Thanksgiving Tournament.

Cann was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two games.  Against Howard (0-5), Cann had a double-double by the end of the first half, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 boards in the opening 20 minutes.

IUPUI (4-3) held the Bison to just 18 first half points and 7-of-22 shooting in the opening frame.  Conversely, the Jaguars knocked down 11 of their shots while forcing 12 Bison turnovers, converting those miscues into 14 points.  Defensively, Cann led the way with 4 steals and 6 defensive rebounds in the half.

While the Jags shot just 34.4 percent in opening half, 14 offensive rebounds contributed to 9 second chance points; Nicole James tied Cann for the team lead with 4 offensive boards in the first 20 minutes.

The Jaguars never trailed in the game, racing out to an 8-2 lead 2:32 into the contest.  Howard closed within four points after a Morgan Neal free throw, but IUPUI blitzed the Bison with a 15-3 run over the next 6:00, as a Cann jumper ignited the run. 

Brittany Ransom followed with a streal and breakaway layup to push their lead to 8.  On their next possession, Quanisha Turner drilled a three and two free throws from James made it a 25-12 contest.  Howard responded with a three of their own, but after a Cann three-point play, Kiara Butler capped the run with a three-pointer to make it, 31-15, with 1:28 on the clock.

At the half, IUPUI led, 31-18.

"I was really pleased with how we competed today," IUPUI head coach Shann Hart said.  "Given the short turnaround, we could have come out sluggish, but we came out with the energy we need to have every game."

Howard closed to within 8 points on three occasions early in the second half, but each time, IUPUI answered, twice using layups by Julia Whitted to push their lead back to 10.  A Butler jumper stopped the third Bison attempt to get back into the game.

Butler's jumper sent IUPUI on a 12-2 run, with the freshman capping the burst with a three-pointer to make it, 49-31 with 10:05 remaining.  The Bison did not come within 11 points the rest of the game.

"I thought Kiara played very well - we haven't shot the ball very well from outside lately, but if we can consistently knock down some jumpers, it should open up defenses a bit."

Turner, making her first career start, had 4 assists for the Jaguars, while James had 10 points, shooting 6-for-7 from the free-throw line.

Butler's 8 points were a career best.

The Jaguars will return to The Jungle on Saturday, December 6, when they host Western Illinois in their Summit League opener.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, and the men's game will follow about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.  Fans can catch the contest via IUPUI Live and live stats.