VERMILLION, S.D. – The IUPUI women's basketball team (13-7, 4-3) suffered its second loss in South Dakota (15-5, 6-1) this week as the Jags fell 65-59 to the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday (Jan. 23). IUPUI got a fourth straight game from Mikale Rogers where the junior scored 17 points or more. The Jags also shot an impressive 47.1 percent from the floor in defeat. The loss came on the heels of a tough fought double overtime loss to South Dakota State just two days before. 

"After losing in double OT last game, I couldn't be more proud of our kids coming back and battling the way they did today," Head Coach Austin Parkinson said. "USD is such a talented team and hard to guard. I thought our defense was what kept us in the game and gave us a chance." 

IUPUI was led by Rogers' 17 points (7-for-10) and six rebounds in the game. Junior Kelsi Byrd chipped in 10 points and four assists on a 4-for-6 shooting night. Shaquira Scott added nine in the loss while all eight Jaguars who played contributed points. 

IUPUI found themselves in an 8-2 hole early in the game but a 9-2 run quickly put the Jags back on top, 11-10. IUPUI controlled the close game throughout the second quarter and took a 28-25 lead into halftime. 

A back-and-forth battle throughout the third resulted in a 44-all tie heading to the fourth quarter where Rogers started to take over. With things tied at 55-55, a 6-0 run from the Coyotes gave USD a slight edge that the Jags couldn't surmount. 

USD's leading scorer and reigning Summit League Player of the Week Nicole Seekamp poured in 22 points in the game. IUPUI's 47.1 percent shooting night proved a better shooting performance than USD (41.8 percent) but the Jags were on the wrong end of a late run that was the difference. The Jags also shot 37.5 percent from the 3-point line while holding USD to just 3-for-18 (16.7 percent) from deep. 

"Against really good teams and a great player like Seekamp, little things matter if you want to come out with a win," Parkinson added. "They beat us on second chance points down the stretch which ended up being the difference in the game." 

USD outrebounded IUPUI just 30-29 in a game that saw eight ties and five lead changes. With South Dakota State and South Dakota sitting at first and second in the Summit League, the Jags may not have won a road game this week but they played both of the league's top teams within a combined eight point difference on the road. 

IUPUI will return home to Indianapolis to host Denver next Thursday (Jan. 28) at 7 p.m. in The Jungle.