Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS-  The UIndy women's basketball team (12-3, 6-1 GLVC) made quite a statement Monday evening, routing visiting Saint Joseph's 72-42 at Nicoson Hall.  The teams headed into the night tied atop the GLVC East Division standings, but the Greyhounds snapped the Pumas' eight-game win streak with an impressive all-around win.

“We fought hard,” said Head Coach Constantin Popa. “We played well overall and we played with a lot of enthusiasm and everybody contributed.”

UIndy imposed its will on the unwitting Pumas by more than doubling their field goal percentage.  The Greyhounds shot a solid 54 percent from the field, while holding SJC to a mere 22 percent.

After starting out in man-to-man defense, the Hounds switched to a 1-3-1 zone look, one that the Pumas (11-4, 5-2) never really solved.

“We really wanted to stay tight in our zone and clog up the middle,” said the first-year head coach.  “We wanted to stop them from penetrating and force them to make shots, especially from the baseline.

“As a coaching staff, we were willing to take the chance on some outside shooting and it worked well for us tonight.”

The Greyhounds also managed a season-high 50 rebounds, compared to just 26 from the Pumas.

“I think we were a lot more focused as far as our rebounding was concerned,” noticed Popa, “and sure enough we out-rebounded them by quite a few.

“It was nice to see that we're making improvements.  It's obviously great that we won, but just to see some progress in the rebounding column, finishing plays inside, and being able to execute and do what I ask them to do was great.  We stuck with the game plan and we did a great job as a whole team.”

Junior Sydney Weinert continued to stuff the stat sheet, recording her third double-double in the last four games.  Weinert looked dominant at times, as the Fort Wayne, Ind., native finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks.

With Weinert leading the inside attack, 44 of UIndy points came in the paint.

“That was our offensive game plan to go inside,” noted Popa.  “Saint Joe's is a good team and an athletic team, but size-wise, I think we're a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger so we were able to take advantage there.”

Three other Hounds finished in double digits, led by Nickole Gonser and Katy McIntosh, who each had 15 points.  Freshly-named GLVC Player of the Week Kristin Turner added 12 points and five assists to the effort, while Megan Gardner, Kelly Walter and Eliza Wortman each chipped in a pair of buckets.

The division-leading Hounds travel to the tri-state area to take on Southern Indiana Thursday evening.  Tip time from PAC Arena is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Eastern.