INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI could not overcome a tough shooting night, falling to Youngstown State 70-67 on Thursday night (Feb. 8).
 
Danielle Lawrence had a last second look at a tying three but it bounced off of the rim. IUPUI (17-6, 9-3 Horizon) tied a season low with only two made three point shots, going 2-for-14 from the three point line.
 
Macee Williams led the Jags with 18 points and posted her fourth double-double of the season, pulling down 10 rebounds. Tamya Sims was second on the team with 17 points and Lawrence finished with 16.
 
It was the closest game of the season for the Jags as no team led by more than six points. After a Williams layup gave IUPUI a three-point lead to begin the fourth quarter, Youngstown State (11-13, 7-6 Horizon) responded with eight points from Indiya Benjamin, who led the Penguins with 17 points and 10 assists, to give Youngstown State a one point lead.
 
With five minutes left, Williams cut the Penguins' lead to two and Sydney Hall hit a three to put the Jags up by one. Youngstown State would respond with a jumper from Kelley Wright and then four-straight free throws to push the lead to five.
 
Hall hit a jumper and after getting a stop, Sims added a jumper to make it a one-point game. After two free throws by the Penguins, IUPUI drew up the play for Lawrence, but the shot went begging.
 
The Penguins did their damage from the three-point line, hitting 10 threes and took advantage of their trips to the foul line, finishing 14-for-15 from charity stripe. IUPUI on the other hand, managed to get to the line 25 times but only converted 17 of its chances.
 
Things started slowly for IUPUI in the first quarter as the Jags fell behind 6-0 to begin the game. Gunn got the scoring going for the Jags with a three and IUPUI then went on a 6-2 run to take a 9-8 lead picking up four points from the free throw line.
 
IUPUI made four more free throws in the quarter but found themselves down six after a jumper by Sarah Cash. Williams scored her seventh point of the quarter to pull the Jags within four.
 
A 5-0 run put the Jags back on top by one to kick off the second quarter in what was a quarter of runs. A layup by Brown and jumper by Hoopingarner gave IUPUI a four-point lead but was matched by Youngstown with a 5-0 run for the Penguins.
 
IUPUI closed the quarter on a 5-0 run with a jumper from Sims and three-straight points from Lawrence to make the halftime score 31-28.
 
The Jags have a quick turnaround as they will play host to Cleveland State on Saturday in their Roar Against Cancer game, starting at 7 p.m.