Live Stats
Video
Audio

IUPUI (6-2) at SIU Edwardsville (4-5)
8:00 p.m. ET 
Vadalabene Center
Edwardsville, Ill. 

The IUPUI women's basketball team travels to Edwardsville, Ill. for the first time in program history on Friday (Dec. 11). The Jags will square off with the Cougars of SIU Edwardsville in an 8 p.m. matchup at the Vadalabene Center. 

The Jags and Cougars have played just once before. That game was a 87-76 IUPUI victory in Indianapolis on Nov. 25 of last season. The Jags (6-2) will need another quality defensive effort in order to get a road win against the Cougars (4-5).

SIUE boasts two seniors and a trio of sophomores in their starting lineup. Shronda Butts is the senior leader averaging an impressive 18.7 points per game. Shutting down Shronda is a key for the Jags to stifle the SIUE offense. Butts is also the Cougars' leader in assists (3.6 apg). IUPUI faced a similar offensive team last week when they shut down Stephen F. Austin and Taylor Ross (22.3 ppg). The Jags held the high-scoring Ross to just 10 points, including just two in the first half. 

For IUPUI, the offensive production has turned into one of the most balanced attacks in college basketball. Senior star Akilah Sims is liable to go for 20 any night. Junior center Mikale Rogers is averaging just shy of a double-double. Another day might be sophomore Danielle Lawrence's turn to fill it up. The trio of scoring leaders have taken turns having big nights but Lawrence (11.9), Sims (11.6) and Rogers (11.4) are all averaging double figures.

Both point guards – sophomore Martha Burse and freshman Sydney Hall – had breakout performances with huge games in the last few weeks. The trio of wing contributors seem to step up at the right time as well. That trio consists of Sara Ross (3.3 ppg), Jenna Gunn (6.8 ppg) and Kelsi Byrd (5.1 ppg).

With such a balanced offensive attack, the Jags can find points from anywhere on the floor. It's defense and taking care of the ball that have been the keys according to Head Coach Austin Parkinson. The Jags are 4-0 this season when they commit less turnovers than opponents and 5-1 when they outrebound those opponents. Both of IUPUI's losses have come by a combined seven points. 

The Jags will turn around after Friday's (Dec. 11) game and head to Louisville for a big matchup with the Cardinals. Louisville is just 3-4 on the year but they've reeled off two straight against Michigan State and Valpo recently. The Jags will play the Cards at 2 p.m. inside the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.