Box score

LAKELAND, Fla.-  After opening the weekend with an 18-point win over host Florida Southern Saturday, the UIndy women's basketball team (5-4) wrapped up the FSC Holiday Inn South Classic with a 70-53 loss to the University of Tampa Sunday.

Facing a tenacious 2-3 zone the entire afternoon, Indianapolis had a hard time getting the ball inside to its post players.  Meanwhile, the jumpers just weren't falling for the Hounds, as the team finished with a .365 field goal percentage, including a 6-for-23 performance from behind the arc.

Tampa (7-2) came out in the 2-3 zone, and early on at least, the Hounds looked comfortable.  Senior forward Samantha Meissel scored the game's first five points, helping UIndy to a 7-2 lead.

The Spartan “D” began to clamp down from that point, however.  Tampa tied it at nine apiece, and later with the score 14-12 Hounds, the designated visitors scored an impressive 17 unanswered points while holding the Greyhounds scoreless for over six minutes.  The Spartans hit their first four 3-pointers to help build a 15-point advantage 12 minutes into the game.

Switching to a 2-3 zone of their own, the Greyhounds managed to quell the momentum and get within striking distance before the halftime buzzer.  Indianapolis allowed just two points over the final eight minutes of the half while trimming the deficit to nine at intermission.

Led by senior Taja Green, the Spartans regained their offensive rhythm out the break.  After amassing 14 points in the first 20 minutes, Green scored seven points earlier in the second half, helping up the Tampa advantage to 16 with 13 minutes to play.

The lead continued the climb, as the Spartans remained hot from the field, especially from long range.   UT, which shot 50 percent overall in the second half, finished the game 10-for-17 from the 3-point arc, including a perfect 3-for-3 from junior Sarah Wickman.

The margin touched 25 before it was said and done.  Green finished with a career-high 27 points to go with 10 rebounds and three steals.

For the Hounds, Meissel led the way with 11 points, six rebounds and a block.  Nickole Gonser (pictured) grabbed eight boards while Katy McIntosh had five assists and two steals.

The Hounds get some time off for the holidays, as the ladies do not play again until after the first of the year.  UIndy travels to Illinois-Springfield on Monday, Jan. 3, marking the first of 17 straight Great Lakes Valley Conference games.


Notes:  Both teams' starting lineups featured a set a twins -- Nickole and Heather Gonser for UIndy and Catriana and Gianna Messina for Tampa…Eight Greyhounds scored at least four points…The Hounds have shot just five free throws in the previous two games combined, all by McIntosh.