INDIANAPOLIS - Top seed IUPUI (22-4, 18-4 HL) continues its push for the second Horizon League Tournament title in program history against No. 7 Oakland (15-14, 11-9 HL) at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The Jaguars opened their postseason with a 71-42 victory over No. 8 Robert Morris. With NBA champion and school alum George Hill in attendance, Macee Williams notched her 11^th double-double of the season (25 points, 12 rebounds) as IUPUI weathered a strong first quarter from the Colonials to win easily.
 
The Jaguars have advanced to the Horizon League Semifinal in every season since 2017, when they joined the conference.
 
Last week, Williams (18.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG) did what only three other Division I women's basketball players have ever done before: win her fourth conference Player of the Year award. Williams finished the regular season second in Horizon League scoring behind Destiny Leo of Cleveland State, and first in rebounding.
 
Rachel McLimore (12.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG) was named All-League Second Team and All-League Defensive Team. She leads IUPUI with 73 assists and locked down elite opponents throughout the season. Rachel Kent (10.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG) earned All-League Third Team honors after leading the conference in made 3-pointers per game (2.5).
 
Yet Oakland is not to be underestimated. They shockingly upset No. 2 Youngstown State (24-6, 18-4 HL) in on Thursday, 63-52. The Golden Grizzlies have advanced to the first Horizon League semifinal in program history after holding the Penguins to zero field goals in the last 3:14 of that matchup.
 
Senior guard Kahlaijah Dean (15.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG) scored 17 of her 18 points in the second half to lead Oakland against Youngstown State. Junior Breanne Beatty (9.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG) had 14 points including three deep balls and seven rebounds. The Golden Grizzlies have no listed centers on their roster, so it will be interesting to see how they defend Williams and Morgan Allen (3.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG) in the post.
 
Last time the Jaguars faced the Grizzlies, it was February 4 and IUPUI dug deep to prevail 64-56. That game had six lead changes and a 10-2 fourth quarter run by the Golden Grizzlies which  ultimately fell short. Postgame, Austin Parkinson credited Oakland associate head coach Ke'Sha Blanton for improving her team throughout the year.

IUPUI clashes with Oakland in the Horizon League Semifinal Monday at 12 PM ET on ESPN+.