DENTON, Texas - IUPUI's six-game winning streak came to an end in a game that was a tale of two halves against North Texas in a 68-67 loss. The Jags (6-2) were outscored 24-10 in the fourth quarter after leading by 20 points early in the third.

"Tough pill to swallow today when we gave up a big lead for the second game in a row," said head coach Austin Parkinson. "You do that enough times it will eventually bite you."

Sophomore Danielle Lawrence and senior Akilah Sims led the way for Jags with 16 points each and junior Mikale Rogers was the only other Jag to finish in double figures with 11. Sims also led IUPUI with 10 rebounds. 

The Jags dominated the first half, a half in which Lawrence scored 12 of her 16 points. After taking a six-point lead in to the second quarter the Jags increased their lead to 26-15 behind a three-point play from Rogers and a jump shot by Lawrence. A jumper by senior Shaquira Scott gave the Jags a 15-point halftime advantage.

IUPUI seemed in control early in the third quarter as freshman Sydney Hall's layup put the Jags up 49-29 but with the Jags up 53-33 the tide turned. North Texas used an 11-4 run in the last 5:20 of the third quarter to chip away at the lead and pull within 13 to end the quarter. 

Sims began the fourth quarter for IUPUI with a three to increase the lead to 60-46 but North Texas took over from there. The Mean Green went on a 19-5 run over the next seven minutes to tie the game at 65 after a three-pointer by Candice Adams. Adams, North Texas' leading scorer (10.2 ppg), scored seven of her team high 18 during the run. 

"After a tremendous first half we turned the ball over 11 times in the second half," said Parkinson. "That has been our Achilles heel."

The Jags would take the lead after two Lawrence free-throws but a three-point shot by Kelsey Criner, who finished with 10 points, with 54 seconds left, turned out to be the game winner for North Texas after Criner stole the ball from Sims with seven second left in the game.

"This was still a positive trip for our team," Parkinson said. "Danielle Lawrence played well in both games and we showed signs of what we are capable of in stretches as a team."

The Jags next game will be on the road Friday, Dec. 11, when they travel to SIU Edwardsville. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.