MACOMB, Ill. – Just a game after the IUPUI women's basketball team had their worst shooting night of the season, the Jags bounced back with a can't-miss performance against Western Illinois in a 68-60 win Saturday night (Jan. 9). The Jags improved to 11-5 on the season and 2-1 in Summit League play while sending Western Illinois to 9-8 (2-2) on the year. The women's squad completed the sweep of Western Illinois after the men's program defeated the Leathernecks 67-60 in the afternoon game.

"It was a great day for IUPUI basketball going on the road to Western and getting a sweep for both programs," Head Coach Austin Parkinson said. "I thought the big key to the game was the way we defended the 3-point line well and, on the other end, we shot the ball outstanding from three."

IUPUI was carried by an impressive shooting night that included 41.1 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent (8-12) from 3-point range, highlighted by sophomore Danielle Lawrence's game-high 18 points. The Louisville native shined on Saturday as she started the game 4-4 from the floor (3-3 from 3-point range) with 13 points in the first half. 

"Danielle was incredibly efficient offensively and she rebounded out of her area, which was key," Parkinson added.

The other 3-point shooting contributions came from three other guards. Freshman Sydney Hall added nine points on 3-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Junior Kelsi Byrd (five points) added a triple on her only attempt while sophomore Jenna Gunn, who added five points and six rebounds in her return to the floor, went 1-for-1 as well.  

Away from the 3-point line, junior center Mikale Rogers got her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Martha Burse was also impressive with eight points, six assists and five rebounds in a well-rounded showing. 

Seven of the Jags' nine scorers shot 50 percent or better from the floor. The Jags also saw a much-improved night from the free-throw line that included 14-20 from the charity stripe (70 percent). IUPUI also outrebounded Western Illinois 44-35 in the contest. 

The Jags never trailed in Saturday's game and led by as many as 17. A 10-0 run in the first quarter gave the Jags a double-digit cushion that they hovered around the remaining three quarters. Their final score (68-60) was almost identical to the outcome of the men's victory just hours before (67-60). 

IUPUI will return home for a pair of conference battles next week as the Jags host Omaha on Wednesday (Jan. 13) and North Dakota State on Saturday (Jan. 16). Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at The Jungle on the campus of IUPUI.