Box Score |
Photo Gallery
INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite double-doubles from
Jernisha Cann and
Julia Whitted, the IUPUI women's basketball team could not find a way to get past Oakland Saturday evening at The Jungle, falling 72-63. In a contest that was even throughout, 23 Golden Grizzlies free throws made the difference.
For IUPUI (14-13, 9-7 Summit), they shot just 12 free throws, hitting seven. Oakland (21-5, 13-2 Summit) went 23-for-31 from the charity stripe.
"Give Oakland credit," head coach Shann Hart said after the game. "They made the necessary adjustments to win tonight, and out-worked us in some areas. There's a reason they've won 13 conference games, and one of those reasons is because of their on-court intelligence."
Honored prior to tip-off, Cann posted her 17th double-double of the season with a team-leading 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Behind Cann and Whitted, the Jaguars enjoyed a 40-28 advantage in the paint, as Whitted finished with 14 points and 11 boards.
It was the fifth time this season that Cann and Whitted have posted double-doubles in the same game and first time in over a month; IUPUI is now 3-2 in those contests.
Tied at 36 at halftime, the Jaguars opened the half by scoring six of the first eight points of the half to take a 42-38 lead on a Cann offensive rebound and putback. However, OU whittled away the lead on two free throws and two baskets, creating a slim one-point lead four minutes into the second half.
IUPUI was able to stay in the game, tying the contest on four more occasions, but failed to cash in on the defensive end of the court, as Oakland broke the deadlocks with baskets on three of their four possessions following a tying Jaguar bucket.
On the one possession IUPUI gained with a chance to take the lead, Whitted missed a jumper, and Oakland grabbed the rebound and scored on their end of the court. Though
Nicole James knotted the game for the 10th time on a layup with 9:00 left in the game, Anna Patritto hit a mid-range jumper on the Golden Grizzlies' set to put OU ahead, 53-51.
Patritto's basket spurred Oakland on a 6-0 run, with the final four points coming from the free throw line, helping the Grizzlies open a 57-51 lead that grew to as many as eight points on two occasions.
Still, the Jaguars refused to go quietly, closing within four on a
Janna Eichelberger drive with 2:54 showing on the clock. Though Melissa Jeltema answered with a layup for Oakland,
Kiara Butler drained a fadeaway three from the left wing to bring IUPUI within a possession at 66-63, with 2:22 remaining.
On again, Oakland's balance came through, as Jeltema sank another layup to create a two-possession game. Neither Eichelberger nor
Brykeesha Tate could answer on the offensive end for IUPUI, and the Grizzlies iced the game with four free throws.
"It's a learning experience," Hart said. "We didn't play our best tody and picked up some cheap fouls, which helped them out. Next time we're in the situation, I'm sure we'll react better. We'll have a chance to rebound on Monday [against IPFW]."
Both Cann and
Nicole James fouled out the game, with Cann picking up her fourth and fifth fouls in a 15-second span in the second half. The Jaguars played the final 3:50 without Cann, who filled the box score with 6 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals to go along with the double-double.
Prior to the game, Cann and Tate were recognized for their contributions to the IUPUI women's basketball program. The seniors have been part of the winningest four-year stretch in Jaguars history, with Cann holding the school's rebounding and steals record. Tate owns the IUPUI Dvisions I era assists mark and will break the school record for games played on Monday.
Cann was named the Shannon McPherson Award recipient for the third straight season, while Eichelberger recived the Emily K. Seiler Award.
IUPUI will wrap up its home slate when they host IPFW on Monday. Tip-off from The Jungle is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Greg Rakestraw and WISH-TV sports anchor Jeane Coakley will have the call of the game on XL 950-AM.
