INDIANAPOLIS – IU Indy battled in front of their home crowd at The Jungle but came up short in its Horizon League opener, falling 74–68 to Purdue Fort Wayne. The Jaguars led at halftime and made a late push in the fourth, but a big third quarter from the Mastodons proved to be the separator.
 
IU Indy opened strong, forcing six turnovers and generating early fast-break points while holding a narrow 17–16 lead after one. Kamara Mills sparked the offense early with multiple buckets, and Hailey Smith added transition scoring as the Jaguars matched PFW shot-for-shot.
 
The teams continued trading baskets in a tightly contested second frame. Mills opened the quarter with a fast-break three, and Denali Craig-Edwards added a key transition layup to keep IU Indy in front. Purdue Fort Wayne answered with timely perimeter shooting, but the Jaguars' free-throw accuracy allowed them to take a 34–33 lead into halftime.
 
The third quarter proved decisive. Purdue Fort Wayne surged ahead behind strong interior scoring and a 24-point frame, capitalizing on IU Indy turnovers. Despite steady defensive rebounding from the Jaguars, the Mastodons converted efficiently in the paint, flipping IU Indy's one-point halftime lead into a double-digit deficit.
 
IU Indy mounted a late push, outscoring PFW 20–17 in the final 10 minutes. Hailey Smith and Sydney Bolden fueled the comeback effort, helping cut the deficit, but the Jaguars could not overcome the third-quarter gap as Purdue Fort Wayne sealed the 74–68 final.
 
Hailey Smith delivered a standout performance for IU Indy, posting a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double leading the Jags on the glass. Mills added 14 points on efficient shooting, including 2 threes, and contributed five rebounds. Bolden provided an offensive boost with 11 points, going 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Olivia Smith finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Destini Craig added six points, three steals, and steady defensive pressure.
 
With the loss, the Jags fall to 3-5 on the season. IU Indy will next travel to Detroit Mercy this Sunday, December 7 at 1:00 PM before returning to the Jungle on December 10.