SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Behind a career-high tying 22 points from
Nevena Markovic and 20 points from
Shaquira Scott, the fifth-seeded IUPUI women's basketball team scored the first upset of the 2015 Summit League Women's Basketball Tournament with a 66-59 victory over fourth-seed Western Illinois.
Scott scored 12 of her 20 in the first half leading an early charge that put the Jags up nine at the half, while Markovic scored 16 of her game-high 22 in the second half, including nine in the final four minutes, to carry the Jags to the victory.
Summit League Player of the Year Ashley Luke finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but her teammates combined to shoot 13-of-51 from the floor, including 9-of-31 from three in the loss.
IUPUI put up 16 fewer shots than Western Illinois, but it was efficient shooting 47.8 percent from the floor, including 83.3% (5-of-6) from three. The Jags also outscored the Leathernecks by five at the free throw line.
The Jaguars couldn't have asked for a better start starting 4-of-6 from the floor as it took an 11-0 lead by the first media timeout. WIU started 0-for-8 during that span and the Jags scoring was spread out with four players scoring led by Scott's four points.
The early run was broken with a Sophie Reichelt three, but the Jaguars continued to shoot the ball well as baskets from Scott, Markovic and a three from
Kelsi Byrd moved the lead to 18-6 eight minutes in. Another three by Sims, two free throws from Scott and a fade away from Markovic off the glass opened a 25-6 lead with 8:30 to play.
The Leathernecks broke out of their shooting slump by getting into the bonus with five minutes to go and seven of Western Illinois' final 13 points of the half came at the stripe helping it close within seven with 26 seconds to play. However, a Shawnece Teague 15-foot baseline jumper with three seconds left sent the Jags into the break with a 34-25 cushion.
Out of the half, Western Illinois pounded the ball inside and went on a 10-2 run in the first four minutes to close within one, 36-35.
Over the next eight minutes, the Leathernecks would take one-point leads on three occasions, but each time the Jags were able to get a basket to halt the WIU momentum.
With the score tied at 46-46 coming out of the under-eight minute media timeout, the Jags got the ball in the hands of Scott and she drove down the lane, got the shot to go and drew the fall to put the Jags back in front, 49-46. During the next possession, Markovic got a jump hook to fall upping the margin to 51-46.
A 7-0 Leathernecks run gave them a 53-51 lead with 3:56 to play, but on back-to-back possessions, Markovic got the ball in the post and converted catapulting IUPUI back in front, 55-53, with three minutes left.
Markovic then hit a three from the left corner with the shot clock winding down to push the lead to five, which would be a big bucket as Luke responded on the other end with an old-fashioned three-point play.
With possessions at a premium, Scott got to the line and hit two free throws with 1:16 to go to make it a two possession game, and a miss on the other end from WIU put Markovic at the line with 35 seconds left and she connected on both to make the lead six.
Akilah Sims and Byrd each hit two more free throws in the final seconds to finish off the 66-59 victory.
Up next for the Jaguars is the top-seeded South Dakota Coyotes, who downed Fort Wayne, 78-70, in Saturday Quarterfinal action. Tip is set for 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on Midco Sports Network and ESPN3.
