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INDIANAPOLIS - Gretchen Gaskin posted a team-high 12 points, but the IUPUI women’s basketball team was unable to overcome 27.9-percent shooting from the floor as it dropped its season opener, 64-45, to Wright State Friday evening at The Jungle.

Kerah Nelson, who exploded for 39 points in the Jaguars exhibition win over Indiana State, was limited to nine points on 4-of-12 shooting from the floor.

Despite struggling offensively, IUPUI got off to a strong start using an 8-0 run over a 4:22 stretch to double up the Raiders, 10-5. Back-to-back lay-ups by Wright State’s Molly Fox surrounded a jumper by Demetria Nunley-Lash, cutting the Jaguars lead to three points. Nunley-Lash and Gaskin each followed with a pair of free throws within a 30-second span giving IUPUI its biggest lead of the game, 16-9, with 12:01 remaining.

The momentum swung the other direction over the next eight minutes due to IUPUI converting only one field goal during the stretch, resulting in the Raiders taking a seven-point lead, 28-21.

Despite a trey from Gaskin with 4:20 to play that cut the IUPUI deficit to four points, 28-24, a 7-0 Wright State run to close the half sent the Jaguars into halftime trailing 35-24.

Right out of the intermission, #Del’Niqua Bellamy# buried a three-pointer, Nelson connected on 1-of-2 free throws, and Clara Mitchell converted two jumpers in the lane to immediately close what was an 11-point deficit to three points, 35-32, just two and a half minutes into the second half.

Unfortunately, the drought that hit the Jaguars in the first half returned again and the Raiders took advantage with a 17-0 run, opening a 52-32 lead with 9:24 remaining.

IUPUI continued to battle but was just unable to overcome the deficit and dropped its first game under head coach Austin Parkinson, 64-45.

In addition to her nine points, Nelson led IUPUI with nine rebounds, while Mitchell was the other Jaguar to reach double figures in scoring with 11 points.

Nunley-Lash and Bellamy were two of five newcomers to make their debut in an IUPUI uniform. Juniors Jasmine Horne and Shakeeta Cotton each contributed three points, while Shea Collins played 10 minutes.