EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The IUPUI women's basketball team held off a late rally by Evansville on Tuesday (Dec. 29), staving off the Purple Aces for a 68-62 win on the road. IUPUI moves to 9-4 on the year and finishes up non-conference play with one of the top records in the Summit League.

"I'm proud of the way our kids competed down the stretch and found a way to win on the road," Head Coach Austin Parkinson said.

The Jags were led by junior Mikale Rogers (10-of-16) and sophomore Danielle Lawrence (7-of-10) with 20 points apiece. Rogers also grabbed seven boards. It was the first time this season Rogers hit the 20-point mark, the third time in her career. Lawrence reached 20 points for the second time this season and the second time in her career. 

Junior Caitlyn Tolen had her best game of the season with a balanced stat line of 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Tolen was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc in her first double-digit scoring effort of the season. 

"We were really impressed with the way Caitlyn stepped up today," Parkinson added. 

IUPUI jumped out to a 10-7 lead halfway through the first quarter before a 9-0 Evansville run made a 10-16 disadvantage for the Jags. The largest lead of the game for the Purple Aces was eight before IUPUI clawed back to a 32-25 halftime lead. 

The Jags pushed the score in the third quarter as they led by as many as 16 in the period. Evansville cut into the lead in that late-third quarter, early-fourth quarter time that has frustrated IUPUI all season. The Jags have seen a number of sizeable leads distinguished late in games, but they weathered the storm in this one to hang onto a 68-62 win.

IUPUI shot 50 percent from the field while Evansville was right on their heels at a 49 percent clip. The Jags outrebounded Evansville 29-24 to continue their dominance on the glass. IUPUI also dominated the paint in this one, outscoring Evansville 40-26 inside.  

"Our team has done a nice job on the road in non-conference," Parkinson said. "We're excited to begin Summit League play." 

IUPUI will turn around from the southwest corner of the state and head to the northeast corner to face Fort Wayne in a New Year's Day contest this Friday (Jan. 1) at 7 p.m. The game with Fort Wayne will begin the Jags' Summit League action. Their 9-4 non-conference record is tied for second-best among Summit League teams.