CHICAGO – A huge second half lifted IUPUI over UIC and earned the Jags their fifth-straight win as IUPUI beat the Flames 73-44 on Saturday (Feb. 23).

IUPUI (18-9, 12-4 Horizon) held a 37-26 lead at the half but used a 14-0 run in the middle of the second quarter to push the lead to 27 at 57-30 and never looked back.

"Always positive to finish your last road game of the regular season with a win," said head coach Austin Parkinson. "After the first quarter, our defense was outstanding. I thought our ladies activity created a lot of deflections."

The Jags had three players finish in double figures, led by 18 from Macee Williams, who shot 6-for-8 from the field and 6-or-7 from the free throw line. Williams also pulled down 10 rebounds for her 10^th double-double of the season. Sydney Hall found her stroke from deep, hitting 5-of-10 attempts and finished with 16 points. Katelyn O'Reilly also added 16 points going 7for-11 from the floor.

"Syd Hall shot it well this week it practice so it was great to see her come out with confidence tonight," said Parkinson.

After shooting under 30 percent against Detroit Mercy in their last game, the offense for Parkinson's squad found its rhythm shooting 47 percent from the floor, 33 percent from behind the arc and 75 percent from the free throw line.

IUPUI opened the second half with a three from Hall and a three-point play by William before UIC hit two buckets. From there the Jags took over, holding the Flames scoreless for almost six minutes. The run started with a layup by O'Reilly and a jumper by Holly Hoopingarner. After Hall went 1-for-2 from the free throw line, Hoopingarner made two more to push the lead to 20. Williams added a layup and Hoopingarner hit a three and the Jags were up by 25. Tamya Sims capped the run for the Jags with a layup.

The got a layup by Williams and O'Reilly hit a jumper that put IUPUI up by 31 and the Jags would hit a 32-point lead twice during the final frame.

As has been the case with most Jaguar games this season, IUPUI won the battle on the boards, outrebounding UIC 34-24. The Jags held a 14-5 advantage on the offensive glass, which lead to the Jags scoring 16 second-chance points to just five for the Flames.

The Jaguars managed to keep control of the ball only giving away 14 turnovers, while forcing 23. IUPUI capitalized on those 23 UIC turnovers, scoring 27 points.

QUICK HITTERS

• IUPUI assisted on 17 of its 27 made baskets. Hoopingarner led the way with four assists while Sydney Roule, Hall and Agatha Beier all finished with three.
• The Jags got out and ran against UIC, finishing with 18 fast break points to just three for the Flames.
• IUPUI trailed 15-13 after the first quarter. It was the first time in five games the Jags have been down after the first ten minutes. IUPUI had not trailed after the first quarter in a win since trailing UT Martin 17-9 in the third game of the season.
• The Jags held a large advantage at the free throw line, making 12-of-16 attempts. The Flames went just 1-of-2 at the line.
• IUPUI moves to 12-4 in conference play and is tied with Youngstown State for third in the standings. With one more win, IUPUI would match its record from last year at 13-5 in Horizon League play.

UP NEXT
IUPUI will begin its final homestand of the season as the Jags play host to Green Bay on Thursday (Feb. 28) at 7 p.m. in the Jungle.