INDIANAPOLIS – Senior
Martha Burse amassed 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the UIndy women's basketball team (7-14, 4-7 GLVC) to a big road victory versus Illinois Springfield Saturday afternoon. The Greyhounds fended off a late charge by the host Prairie Stars (10-8, 4-6), who came up short on a potential game-tying look in the final seconds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hounds led by as much as 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, but the Stars put together a furious 11-1 rally to start the final period to knot it up at 50 apiece. UIS would later take a 53-52 lead with 4:27 remaining but were held scoreless the rest of the way.
With less than two minutes to go, Burse made what proved to be the game-winning play. The Kankakee, Ill., product swiped the ball right out of the hands of sophomore Jasmine Sangster and took it the other way for an easy deuce, giving the lead back to the Hounds.
UIS senior and Indy-native Shelbi Patterson would later miss a would-be go-ahead jumper with 14 seconds remaining, while sophomore Lanie Hicks was off the mark on a last-second triple that would have tied it.
Today's road win should help the Greyhounds remain in the postseason picture, as they came into the day in the No. 8 spot in the GLVC point-based standings. Eight and only eight teams will qualify for the GLVC Championship Tournament in March.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Burse's performance was good for her second double-double of the season and third of her career. She also added four steals and a block.
- Burse was the only Greyhound to finish in double figures, with Taylor Dury and
Tina Negoescu chipping in seven points each.
- Sophomore
Claire Carlton matched a personal best with nine rebounds, while junior
Erin Wood grabbed seven boards.
- Seven of UIndy's 16 turnovers came in the fourth quarter.
- The Prairie Stars shot a whopping 40 3-pointers on the day, hitting just nine (.225).
- The Stars have now lost four in a row and seven of the last nine.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Hounds will be back home for two games next week, starting with a Thursday night match-up with McKendree University at 5:30 p.m. ET.
