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INDIANAPOLIS- Wisconsin-Parkside put a damper on Sydney Weinert's block party Saturday afternoon, as the UIndy women's basketball team fell 73-70 to the visiting Rangers.  Weinert (pictured) recorded three blocked shots to set a new single-season program mark, but UW-Parkside held on to win after snapping a 70-70 tie with just 14 seconds left in the game.

The Greyhound loss creates a three-way tie for the GLVC East Division lead, as UIndy, Parkside and Northern Kentucky all sport 8-3 conference records.  The trio represents the only GLVC teams receiving votes in the latest USA TODAY ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

“It's a tough loss,” admitted Head Coach Constantin Popa. “We didn't quite follow the game plan.  We gave our players all the tools on how to defend certain players and we didn't get it done.  We also put them (Parkside) on the free throw line too much instead of forcing them to make some plays.

“But ultimately it came down to a possession here and a possession there.  We have to make sure we understand how valuable each possession is, especially in these types of situations.”

Up two with under two minutes to play, the Rangers (15-4, 8-3 GLVC) got a big offensive rebound and put back from Amy Selk to make it 70-66 Parkside.

The Hounds (14-5, 8-3 GLVC) answered right back with a rare four-point swing to knot it at 70.  First, Weinert sank a bunny and was fouled with one minute remaining.  Though she missed the ensuing free throw, senior Megan Gardner wriggled into the lane and snatched the rebound to give the Greyhounds a fresh clock.  UIndy then forced the 10th tie of the afternoon when sophomore Katy McIntosh went to the rim and finished with a deuce.

After Parkside called a timeout with 20.9 on the clock, senior Kaitlyn Bettiga made what proved to be the play of the game when she drove the right side of the lane.  The Green Bay, Wis., native got the hoop and the harm and completed the three-point play to put the Rangers up three.

After a called timeout with 9.9 left, the Hounds had the final possession but couldn't get an open look.  Kristin Turner got off a deep three at the buzzer, but her attempt fell short, handing the Hounds just their third conference loss of the year.

The Rangers sank all 12 of their first-half free throws, helping earn a 35-32 lead at the break.  They pushed the margin to double digits just minutes into the second half when a 3-pointer from senior Jadee Rooney with 16:01 on the clock gave the Rangers a 48-38 lead, good for the largest of the day.

The Hounds clawed their way back with a 15-4 rally, turning a 10-point deficit into a four-point advantage.  Three lead changes followed before a three from Nickole Gonser made it 66-66 to setup the late drama.

Gonser's triple was just the second and final 3-pointer for the Hounds on the night.  UIndy finished 2-for-21 from behind the arc, with the resulting .095 percentage marking a season low.

“We didn't get the shooting we were hoping for today,” said Popa.  “We had good looks but we just couldn't get the shots to fall for us.

“You have to knock down shots, and that's the bottom line.  We took advantage once in a while on the inside, but to open up that middle, you have to hit a shot from the outside.  Unfortunately we paid the price at the end.

"It's pretty unusual.  I know we can hit some shots and I know we will in the future, but it was a rough day for us from behind the arc.”

Three Hounds finished in double figures, led by Turner's game-high 24 points.  Turner accounted for 12 of the Hounds' first 15 points, as the Seymour, Ind., native employed a deadly crossover dribble to generate a slew of  lay-ups.

Sophomore Eliza Wortman had a career day by setting personal bests in both points (11) and rebounds (8).  McIntosh chipped in 11 points and three assists.

The Greyhounds remain at home for a pair of GLVC contests next week, starting with a Thursday evening match-up with Kentucky Wesleyan.  UIndy hopes to atone for a 69-62 loss at KWC Jan. 21.  Tip-off Thursday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Eastern.