Box score

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The third-ranked University of Indianapolis women's basketball team was denied a shot at its third Great Lakes Valley Conference title Saturday, as the Greyhounds fell 66-58 to Wisconsin-Parkside in the GLVC Tournament semifinals.  The Rangers ended the game on a 15-3 run to slip by UIndy and advance to the conference final Sunday.

In a match-up featuring the region's second and third-ranked teams, the Greyhounds (26-3) led 55-51 – their biggest lead of the second half – with 4:19 remaining before the Rangers started their charge.    The rally lifted the Rangers (23-6) their first-ever appearance in the GLVC Tournament final while handing the Hounds their largest defeat of the year.

With the jumpers falling early for the Greyhounds, UIndy earned a quick 13-4 lead.  Eleven of those points came from outside the lane, including nine from behind the 3-point arc.

Parkside endured the Hounds' initial surge to eventually knot it at 19.  The Rangers did some work on the offensive glass to help stage the game's first tie, including back-to-back offensive rebounds and put backs from junior Brittany Hogen.

Six lead changes ensued before the first half buzzer, as the two division winners traded punches.  Both teams shot in the upped 30s in the opening stanza, before the Hounds took a slim 31-30 lead into the locker room.  Newly-crowned GLVC Player of the Year Samantha Meissel led all players with 14 points at the break.

The back-and-forth continued throughout the second half, as neither team could gain a significant advantage.  Six ties and 13 lead changes came in the final 20 minutes alone.

A steal and a lay-up by freshman Heather Gonser gave the Hounds a four-point edge before the Rangers orchestrated their game-changing surge.  From that point, UIndy managed just a single made free throw and a put back before picking up just its third loss of the season.

Parkside senior Amanda Gibson was instrumental in the Rangers' win.  The All-GLVC third teamer scored 18 of her game-high 26 points in the second half, including seven of the team's final 13.  She finished 4-for-5 from 3-point land while also grabbing six rebounds.

Meissel finished with 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting.  Jessica Canary amassed 15 points, six boards, four assists and two blocks, Cayla Keegan had nine points and Heather Gonser added seven points and four steals.

All but assured its third straight national-tournament berth, UIndy awaits the release of the NCAA D-II Tournament field Sunday night at 9 p.m.  The Division II women's selection show will air online at NCAA.com.  The Greyhounds were ranked No. 2 in the last regional poll.  The top eight teams will compete for the Midwest Region title Mar. 12-15, with the top-ranked school serving as host.


Note:  The 2010 men's and women's GLVC semifinals and finals are being held at The Recreation and Athletic Center on the campus of Illinois-Springfield.