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FARGO, N.D. – Taking care of business in the final road trip of the regular season, the IUPUI women's basketball team (20-7, 10-4) came out strong and delivered a solid performance against North Dakota State (6-21, 4-10) Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18), dropping the Bison 76-53.  The win marks the fourth 20-win season for Head Coach Austin Parkinson in the last five seasons, as the Jags will play their final two games at home.  IUPUI has won nine of its last 10 games.

"We started quickly by getting stops and getting out in transition," Coach Parkinson said.  "Jenna Gunn set the tone in the first half with her aggressive mentality."

IUPUI combined to shoot 26-for-46 (.565) on the afternoon, with Danielle Lawrence leading the way for the Jags.  The junior guard and reigning Summit League Player of the Week picked up 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, while four players finished in double-digit points.  Sydney Hall finished with 18 points while going 5-for-7 from three-point range, Kelsi Byrd added 10 points and Jenna Gunn started strong while posting 10 points.  The Jags controlled the glass early but eventually saw the Bison pull the advantage late in the game, 31-32.  IUPUI forced 11 turnovers by North Dakota State, committing 13 of their own.

"It was great to see us share the basketball and create shots for each other," Coach Parkinson added.  "Loved seeing Syd find her rhythm from the three-point line.  Danielle was incredibly efficient and has continually raised her game to another level."
 
Just 20 seconds into the action, Gunn forced the ball through the middle, fighting to the rim and dropping in a layup for the Jags.  Next trip down, Gunn cut down the right-side and ripped a short-range jumper that connected.  Gunn kept the offense going, zipping a pass out to Hall who was waiting beyond the arc, as the sophomore guard made a three-point shot.  Tolen quickly found Rogers in transition on the offensive end, as Rogers put up the layup to push IUPUI to a 9-4 lead.  Rogers hit again, this time on a quick turnaround with just under six minutes to play forcing North Dakota State into a timeout.  Rogers worked a pass through a double team after the break, finding a wide open Gunn by the hoop who dropped it in.  They dialed up the same style of play next trip down, as Gunn was again wide open near the hoop.  Hall hit a triple on the next trip, Lawrence put in a jumper with under a minute to play, and the Jags took the first quarter 22-11.  IUPUI shot 9-for-14 from the field, as Gunn led the way with 8 points.  The Jags won the rebound battle, 9-7, and forced three North Dakota State turnovers.
 
A jumper by Rogers broke up a 5-0 run from North Dakota State to start the second quarter.  Lawrence hit roughly 20 seconds later on a layup, as the Jags pushed things to 26-16.  Gunn got into double-digit points with a layup, as the Jags kept North Dakota State scoreless for six minutes.  The Jags scored 14 points over a lopsided stretch, as Hall also got into double-digits with 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting from three-point range.  With under a minute to play, the Bison added a bucket just before the break, but the Jags had built a substantial lead at 42-22.  The Jags shot 8-for-14 in the second quarter and 4-for-8 from three-point range.  IUPUI outrebounded NDSU 10-4 in the frame, as both teams committed four turnovers.
 
Lawrence quickly answered a Bison basket after an offensive rebound to reclaim a 20-point edge for IUPUI.  Hall knocked down her fourth triple of the game, followed by a pair of Lawrence free-throws as the Jags continued to push the lead.  Lawrence tossed up her first three-pointer of the game just under the six-minute mark, part of an 8-for-17 showing to that point.  About 20 seconds later, she pushed her scoring total to 13 points with a layup.  Rogers dropped in two free-throws after a media timeout, Lawrence completed an and-one play, Allex Brown made two free-throws, and IUPUI pushed out to a 62-35 lead with just under three minutes to play. A pair of free-throws added on to the IUPUI lead, as they ended the quarter up 63-40.  The Jags shot 9-for-11 from the free-throw line in the quarter, and defensively limited the Bison to a 6-for-15 showing from the floor. 
 
Lawrence and Hall each hit triples to start the quarter, as Byrd also tossed in a couple free-throws for IUPUI.  Taylor Drake added a wide-open layup late in the action, as IUPUI had the game well in hand with time winding down.  They'd cruise to victory, 76-53. 
 
With the win, the Jags will return to the Jungle to host their final two games of the regular season.  They'll face South Dakota Wednesday (Feb. 22) at 7 p.m. EST.
 
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