INDIANAPOLIS – IU Indy battled back from an early deficit to take a small halftime gap, but Youngstown State used late free throws to secure a 69-65 decision Saturday afternoon inside The Jungle.
Nevaeh Foster led all scorers with 20 points while
Destini Craig recorded her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Youngstown State came out firing, shooting 84.6 percent from the floor in the opening period to build a 26-18 advantage after one. The Penguins connected on 11-of-13 shots in the frame, countering a strong start from IU Indy that featured an early three from
Hailey Smith and paint production from
Julia Hall.
The Jaguars responded with one of their best offensive quarters, shooting 54.5 percent from the floor and knocking down three triples to outscore Youngstown State 24-13 in the second period. IU Indy turned defense into offense during the stretch, forcing turnovers and converting at the free throw line to take a 42-39 lead into halftime.
Both teams traded runs coming out of the locker room in a tightly contested third. IU Indy shot 35.7 percent in the frame, while the Penguins answered with timely buckets to edge the Jaguars 13-11 in the quarter to cut the Jags lead to one heading into the final period.
The final 10 minutes featured six lead changes as the teams went back-and-forth down the stretch. IU Indy battled to tie the game at 65-65 with just over a minute remaining, but Youngstown State converted key free throws in the closing seconds to seal the 69-65 result.
Foster led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. She added three rebounds and played 34 minutes in the effort. Craig recorded a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while adding one assist and two steals.
Olivia Smith and
Hailey Smith each chipped in 11 points, with
Olivia Smith contributing three assists and three steals and
Hailey Smith adding four rebounds.
As a team, IU Indy shot 41.5 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from three-point range, while scoring 30 points in the paint.
The Jaguars move to 11-14 overall and 7-9 in Horizon League play. IU Indy will now go on the road for one at Cleveland State on Thursday, February 19 before returning to the Jungle for senior day on Sunday, February 22.
