Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. – In a defensive struggle, Kerah Nelson made a running lay-up across the lane with one second to go to give the IUPUI women’s basketball team a 45-43 win over Omaha Saturday afternoon in a key Summit League contest at Ralston Arena.

With the win, IUPUI improved to 14-9 overall and 7-3 in the conference, while Omaha dipped to 16-8 overall and 6-6 in the conference. Additionally, IUPUI surpassed its win total from last year and earned a season sweep over the league-newcomer Mavericks.

“I’m extremely proud of our kids grinding out another win on the road. Kerah Nelson’s defense and rebounding played a huge role in our victory,” head coach Austin Parkinson said.

On a night where IUPUI shot just 29.1 percent from the floor, the Jaguars were led offensively by Nevena Markovic, who scored 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. DeAirra Goss added 10 points and Nelson finished with eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

“I also really liked Kate’s [Comello] toughness playing through a thigh contusion, and [Nevena Markovic] has quietly put together several solid games in a row. When we get that offensive punch off the bench, it makes a huge difference,” Parkinson said.

The Jaguars' offensive execution at the end of each half led to baskets proving to be the difference in the outcome.

“Today was the best execution we’ve had in a late game situation all year, and I love it when a senior wants the ball in that moment,” Parkinson added.

The Jags defense held Omaha to just four points in the opening 6:30 and jumped out to an 11-4 lead. However, a 9-0 response from the 12:29 mark to 10:00 mark of the opening 20 minutes gave the Mavericks a 13-11 advantage.

Down the stretch of the first half, three lead changes ensued resulting in a 19-18 IUPUI lead, but a Markovic tip-in with one second to go in the half sent the Jaguars into the half with a 21-18 lead.

After IUPUI grew its lead to five out of the half on a Goss lay-up with 18:04 remaining, the rest of the half went back-and-forth.
Nine lead changes and two ties followed over the next 15:24 resulting in Omaha owning a 41-40 lead with 2:40 to go.

A pair of  Katie Comello free throws with 1:50 remaining preceded Goss splitting a pair of free throws with 37 seconds left to place IUPUI back in front by two, 43-41, but Paige Frauendorfer buried a jumper from the right elbow with 25 seconds to play to knot the score at 43.

IUPUI held the ball for the last shot and after working the ball to the left side of the floor, Nelson received a pass at the elbow from Comello and drove across the lane to hit a lay-up with one second on the clock to put IUPUI in front, 45-43.

Omaha made one last attempt to tie things up, but a full-court pass sailed out of bounds and clinched the two-point Jags victory.

IUPUI returns home on Thursday, Feb. 14, when it hosts Summit League leader South Dakota State at 7 p.m. at The Jungle.