INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI's offense fell stagnant in a 53-40 loss against Northern Iowa on Friday (Nov. 30) night. Macee Williams was the only Jaguar to score in double-figures, netting 13 points.

IUPUI (5-2) had its worst shooting night of the season, hitting just 32.6% from the field. Williams had the best night for the Jags, hitting 5-of-8 shots and pulled down 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Tamya Sims played in her first game of the year and scored eight points but no other Jaguar scored more than five. For the first time this season IUPUI did not finish with a 20-point scorer.

Northern Iowa (4-3), slowed the tempo and collapsed on the Jags in the paint and IUPUI could not take advantage of open perimeter shots going 3-for-15 from the three point line. IUPUI had also been doing a lot of damage from the free throw line early in the season but finished the game with season-lows in free throws made (7) and attempted (11).

"Have to give them a lot of credit. They are a very well-coached team and had a game plan and stuck to it," said head coach Austin Parkinson. "When it is going to be a low possession game and they get up like they did, a 10-point lead is like a 20-point lead and 20 turnovers, we aren't going to win many games doing that."

The Jags did have a strong night on the defensive end holding Northern Iowa to 39.2% from the field and forced 14 turnovers.

"I thought we defended really well but they are a good team," said Austin. "You can't pitch a no-hitter on defense and play as poorly as we did on offense."

Williams got the Jags off to a good start, scoring the first nine IUPUI points and giving the Jags a 9-5 lead after two free throws. Northern Iowa used an 8-2 run to close out the quarter and take a 13-11 lead in to the first quarter.

Back-to-back baskets by Williams midway through the second quarter pulled the Jags within one but the Panthers used a 9-2 run to take control of the game and a jumper as time expired put IUPUI down 32-21. The 11-point deficit was the largest deficit of the season for IUPUI and it was the first time the Jags had trailed at halftime all season.

The Jags would end up getting the game back in to single digits just once in the second half and would trail by as much as 18 before ending the game down 13.

IUPUI has a quick turnaround as the Jags will head to Terre Haute, Ind., on Monday (Dec. 3) for a matchup against Indiana State at 7 p.m.