Box Score

BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Entering their game with #23 South Dakota State with just nine players, the IUPUI women's basketball fell to the host Jackrabbits, 96-49, Saturday night at Frost Arena.  Julia Whitted posted her second straight double-double in the loss.

IUPUI (7-8, 2-2 Summit) fell below .500 for the first time this season, but the Jaguars were missing Jernisha Cann who leads the team in scoring, rebounding and steals.  The 47-point margin of defeat was the second largest in IUPUI's Division I history, falling behind a 96-48 loss at #14/15 Ohio State on Dec. 1, 2003.

"Certainly having Jernisha out tonight didn't help," head coach Shann Hart said.  "We knew we were going to have to have certain players step up tonight, and unfortunately, South Dakota State did a great job of taking away some of the things we were trying to do."

Without Cann, the Jaguars tried to establish Whitted as a prescence early in the contest, but the junior missed her first three attempts as South Dakota State (15-2, 4-1 Summit) jumped out to a 10-0 lead.

Nicole James converted a three-point play as the Jags slowly got the nerves out of their system in the opening minutes of play, but after a jumper from Farren Stackhouse made it 17-9 in favor of SDSU, the Jackrabbits went on a 24-5 run to effectively put the game away.

In the opening half, South Dakota State hit five three-pointers; the Jackrabbits entered the game averaging 7.5 baskets from beyond the arc.  For the game, SDSU knocked down 11-of-26 attempts from downtown, outscoring IUPUI, 33-0, from three-point range.

Down 45-19 at halftime, Whitted came alive in the second half, scoring 12 of her team-high 14 points in the final 20 minutes of action.  The junior finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds to post her second consecutive double-double.

"Hopefully Julia is coming around," Hart said.  "Last season, she was able to control the post in Summit League play and we're going to need her to do the same thing if we're going to compete right now."

James had 11 points for the Jaguars, who shot just 18-for-53 in the game, compounding their poor shooting with 27 turnovers.

For the game, South Dakota State outscored IUPUI, 29-2, off of turnovers.

South Dakota State, using a balanced attack, placed four players into double figures, led by Jill Young's 17 points.  The freshman was 3-for-6 from three-point range.  Of the 12 Jackrabbits who appeared in the contest, 11 scored.

The matchup between Cann and SDSU's Jennifer Warkenthien never materialized due to Cann's absence.  Warkenthien finished with 11 points and 2 rebounds.

"Monday's game at North Dakota State won't be easy, but we've got to find a way to get a split," Hart said.  "I don't know if Jernisha will be available, but regardless, we've got to cut down on our turnovers and play good fundamental basketball if we want to win."

The Jaguars and Bison will meet at the Bison Sports Arena on Monday, Jan. 12, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.  Fans can follow the game via IUPUI Live!