DEKALB, Ill. – IUPUI Women's Basketball started its season with a bang, cruising to an 85-61 win over Northern Illinois on Wednesday (Nov. 25). Senior Macee Williams continued where she left off last season with a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Jags.

IUPUI (1-0) jumped out early, scoring the first 13 points of the game on route to the wire to wire win. Williams had two buckets during the run along with baskets by Destiny Perkins and Rachel McLimore. Sydney Roule finished off the run with her first of four threes on the day.

"Obviously thrilled with getting a win on the road to start the year but more importantly, we are just grateful to be able to play," said head coach Austin Parkinson. "It was fun to see a lot of smiling faces out there competing. I thought we played really hard defensively and had a nice balance on the offensive end."

The Jags were very balanced on offense with four players in double figures. Behind Williams, Destiny Perkins, starting at point guard, finished with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting and 3-for-6 from deep. McLimore and Roule each added 12. Morgan Allen finished the game with nine points as IUPUI shot 49.3% from the field. The Jags also shot well from behind the arc going 10-for-23.

IUPUI used great ball movement finishing the game with 22 assists, doubling up Northern Illinois (0-1) as the Huskies only finished with 11. Perkins, Roule and Agatha Beier each finished with five assists. Perkins also filled up the stat sheet with six rebounds and led the team with three steals.

"Destiny was terrific in taking over the point guard spot," said Parkinson. "Love seeing the five assists."

Using a 29-point second quarter, IUPUI took complete control of the game, taking a 50-29 lead in to the half. The Jags' largest lead came during the fourth quarter as IUPUI went up by 31 at 85-54 after a three-pointer by freshman Jaci Jones. Fellow freshman Anna Mortag tallied six points in her first career game and Natalie Andersen added seven.

IUPUI's defense held Northern Illinois to just 35.6% shooting and just 23.1% from behind the three-point line while forcing 18 turnovers. Chelby Koker led the way for the Huskies with 21 points and Errin Hodges added 10.

IUPUI will be back in action on Monday, Nov. 30 with another game on the road. The Jags will head to Muncie to play Ball State.

QUICK HITTERS

• IUPUI has now won four-straight season openers.
• The Jags scored 85 points and have now won 12-straight games when scoring at least 70 points. IUPUI also moved to 78-0 when scoring 75 points in regulation.
• Macee Williams reached double figures for the 25th-straight game dating back to last season.
• Sydney Roule's 12 points are the most since scoring 12 against Milwaukee on Jan. 19 last season.
• Destiny Perkins has scored in double-figures for the fourth-time in her last five games going back to last season. Perkins only hit double-figures in four of her first 27 games in a Jaguar uniform.