Photo Gallery I Austin Parkinson Postgame Interview

INDIANAPOLIS - IUPUI held off a feisty St. Joseph's College squad, 70-61, in the women's exhibition opener on Wednesday night (Nov. 4) in the Jungle. The Jags were led by senior Akilah Sims who finished with 23 points on 10-15 shooting.

"Akilah, she's first-team all league. She's a really good player," said head coach Austin Parkinson. "She played within herself, shot the ball well, and everyone fed off of her."

Two other Jags finished in double-figures in the win. Sophomore Danielle Lawrence scored nine of her 11 in the first half and junior Mikale Rogers had 10 points and seven boards. Lawrence also had four steals for a Jaguar defense that finished with 11. Guards Kelsi Byrd and Sydney Hall scored eight points each, with each hitting key treys in the final quarter. 

It was a back-and-forth contest with the Jags taking a two-point lead into the final quarter. From there, the defense held the Pumas to only eight points over the final 10 minutes, allowing the Jags to pull away for the nine-point victory. Sims broke a 55 all tie with a layup with 8:15 to play and the Jaguars held SJC for nearly six minutes, pushing out to a three-possession lead. 

"Our kids kind of wore them down," said Parkinson. "I think our depth helped. They were in a little bit of foul trouble but it was good to see us get stops late in the game."

Lauren Davis led three Pumas in double-digits with 14 points and both Lauren Kotey and Kalea Parks added 10 each. 

The Jags open up their regular season when they travel to Eastern Illinois on Nov. 11. That game will be heard on IUPUIJags.com as Scott Agness (pxp) calls the action from inside Lantz Arena.