Box score
INDIANAPOLIS- The 11th-ranked University of Indianapolis women’s basketball team received a 20-point game from both
Samantha Meissel (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute North) and
Jessica Canary (Coatesville, Ind./South Putnam) in its 66-50 win over St. Catharine at Nicoson Hall Sunday afternoon. Meissel and Canary combined for 42 points as the victory made Head Coach
LeAnn Freeland 3-for-3 in season openers at UIndy.
The first points of the season came from
Sarah Fenneman (Evansville, Ind./F.J. Reitz), as the senior forward connected on a layup after a nice post feed from Canary. It marked the only points in the first four-and-a-half minutes of the game, as both teams struggled to find a rhythm.
After the Patriots finally got on the board, the opponents traded points for much of the balance of the half, as the opening frame featured four ties and seven lead changes over the first 13 minutes.
However, the day’s final tie came with the scoreboard showing 17-17 at the 7:03 mark, as UIndy scored 14 unanswered the take command of the half. The run, punctuated by a fast break layup from Meissel, put the Hounds up 30-17 with just two minutes left in the period.
The Hounds’ double-digit lead did not last long, however. The Patriots managed to whittle the margin to seven before the break, as a three-pointer from SCU senior Brittany Darden with 19 ticks remaining made it 33-26 at intermission.
Meissel led all players with 12 points at the halfway mark, followed by Canary with 11.
St. Catharine (1-4) continued to remain within striking distance coming out of the locker room. The Patriots cut the deficit to three with 10:25 to go, but a big triple from Canary quelled the visitors’ momentum.
UIndy took control from that point, outscoring the Patriots 26-13 the rest of the way, a stretch that included a game-changing 15-2 run. The Greyhounds lead topped out at 19 points before the Hounds picked up the season-opening win.
Meissel hit on nine of her 17 field goal attempts to finish with a game-high 22 points. Canary stuffed the box score with 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Katie Lyons (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) added 12 points and five boards while
Cayla Keegan (Castalia, Ohio/Margaretta) and
Heather Rourk (Iola, Kan./Iola) each had three steals.
UIndy (1-0) hits the road next week when it travels to Saginaw Valley State Nov. 21 for an in-region contest. A rare double milestone could be set in that game, as Canary (5 points) and Meissel (20 points) are both within reach of 1,000 career points.