MUNCIE, Ind. – Despite leading for the majority of the first half, IUPUI falls to Ball State on Thursday night, 61-54. Senior Natalie Andersen recorded a season-high 16 points to lead the Jaguar offense.
 
IUPUI showed their strength with back-to-back threes from Rachel Kent and Destiny Perkins to open the first quarter and take the lead. Although Ball State tied it up twice in the opening quarter, the Jags were on top after one, 12-11, and held onto that lead going into the half, 27-25.
 
The Cardinals took the lead by opening the third quarter on a 15-6 run and never looked back, taking their largest lead of 59-48 with three minutes left to go. The Jags brought it within two possessions with a three from Andersen with 1:30 left in the game but Ball State sealed the win with a layup from Ally Becki, 61-54.
 
Andersen led the Jaguars with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Kent followed with 12 points, four assists and team-high eight rebounds. Perkins added nine points with four assists and two rebounds while Ali Berg added seven rebounds. Overall, the Jags shot just 29.2 percent from the floor (19-for-65) and 21.4 percent from the arc (6-for-28).
 
IUPUI will return to Indy on December 15 for a 5:00 PM tipoff with Bowling Green.