SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Three Jaguars score in double-figures and IUPUI held off a late UTSA rally to win 58-50 in the Jags first game of the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.
IUPUI (4-1) got back to its winning ways behind 20 points from
Macee Williams and 10 apiece from
Katelyn O'Reilly and
Morgan Allen. Williams has now scored 20-plus points in her last four games, the first time a Jaguar has done that since
Danielle Lawrence from Jan. 28 - Feb. 12 in 2016. It is the third time O'Reilly has reached double-figures this season and the second for Allen.
Holly Hoopingarner, who had reached at least 10 points in every game this season, finished with nine.
"
Morgan Allen was terrific tonight," said head coach Austin Parkinson. "Credit to our kids for feeding her the ball."
The Jags held the lead for more than 38 minutes and never trailed, holding UTSA (2-4) at arms length for the majority of the game. IUPUI took a ten-point lead early in the fourth quarter after an O'Reilly layup but the Roadrunners chipped away, cutting the lead to four with 4:37 left. Allen responded with a jumper and after UTSA hit another basket, Williams hit a layup. UTSA pulled within four one fine time but Hoopingarner and Williams iced the game from the free throw line for the Jags fourth win of the season.
After losing the rebounding battle against Wisconsin, IUPUI won the battle on boards 41-34 and held a 14-6 advantage on the offensive glass. The edge on the offensive end led to 14 second chance points and IUPUI outscored UTSA 36-18 in the painted area. Williams led the Jags with seven rebounds and Hoopingarner and O'Reilly each grabbed six boards.
The Jags needed all their points in the paint as the outside shot struggled with the Jags going 2-for-18 from the three point line.
"We grinded out a win by defending and boxing out," said Parkinson. "That made up for poor shooting."
IUPUI only shot 38% from the field but held UTSA to 33% shooting. The Jags brightest quarter came in the second when IUPUI shot 47% and scored 20 points. IUPUI began the second quarter with a three-point lead but came out on fire, using a 10-2 run to take control of the game. A layup and jumper by Williams started the run. After a basket by UTSA,
Brittany Welch hit a jumper, followed by another Williams layup. Hoopingarner's jumper on the next possession put the Jags up 12.
By outscoring UTSA 20-13 in the second, the Jags took a 36-24 lead in to the halftime break. Williams did most of her damage in the first half, scoring 13 of her 20 points before break.
IUPUI will finish the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday with a game against VCU at 1 p.m. ET.