RENSSELAER, Ind. – The Greyhound women's basketball team wrapped up a three game road trip on Monday night, dropping the first of two scheduled meetings with GLVC rival Saint Joseph's, 70-57, snapping a six-game winning streak against the Pumas.
 
Princess German had a team-leading 19 points for the Greyhounds, but the UIndy offense struggled to get things going all night long, shooting just 32.2 percent (19-for-59) from the floor and 5-for-26 from long distance in defeat. Tina Negoescu set a new career high with 14 points and Ashley Montanez added 11 for the Hounds, who fell to 4-13 on the year and 2-5 in GLVC play.
 
The Pumas got 19 points and five three pointers from Courtney Kvachoff, 18 more points from Kalea Parks and 13 off the bench from Rolanda Curington to improve to 12-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
 
Both teams got off to a slow start at the offensive end, combining for just eight points in the opening five minutes and a 4-4 tie at the first timeout of the game. The Pumas would find their offensive groove following the timeout while UIndy continued to struggle and Saint Joseph's held a 16-8 lead after one quarter. The Hounds shot just 3-of-15 from the field in the opening 10 minutes.
 
St. Joseph's took that momentum into the second quarter, opening up a 28-14 lead with five minutes to go in the half as UIndy continued to labor on the offensive end. The Hounds were able to close the gap to single digits before the halftime horn sounded with an 8-2 run to pull within 30-22 at the break.
 
UIndy finished the half shooting just 8-for-29 from the field and 1-for-13 from long range.
 
Back-to-back threes from the Pumas to open the third quarter extended the lead back to double-figures but UIndy answered with 12 of the next 17 points to cut the lead to 41-34 after a pair of German free throws with 3:11 to go in the third period. It was as close as the Hounds would come for the rest of the game as the Pumas potted the final six points of the quarter to make it a 47-34 game after 30 minutes.
 
The Pumas kept the lead in double figures throughout the fourth quarter, extending it to as many as 17 points early in the period. A late 8-2 run from the Hounds cut the lead to single digits, but it proved to be too late.
 
The Pumas held a decided advantage in the rebounding battle, grabbing 42 boards to 32 for the Hounds. Sarah Costello led the Hounds with seven boards and added a team-leading six assists as well. The Greyhounds held the advantage in points in the paint (22-18), points off turnovers (15-10) and bench points (25-20).
 
St. Joseph's shot 44.2 percent (23-for-52) from the field, 53.3 percent (8-for-15) from long range and 76.2 percent (16-for-21) from the line. The Greyhounds had their most successful game in limiting turnovers against one of the top teams in terms of forcing turnovers in the league. UIndy committed a season-low eight turnovers on the night while forcing 12 on the defensive end.
 
The Hounds return home this coming weekend to resume GLVC play, starting on Thursday night (Jan. 21) when the Prairie Stars of Illinois Springfield come to the Circle City. Tip-off from Nicoson Hall is set for 5:30 p.m.