Bumped
Freshman Cayla Keegan (21) goes up for a lay-up against Quincy on Jan. 22.
By Chris Miller | Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis women’s basketball team (19-5, 8-4 GLVC) dropped out of the USA Today ESPN Division II Coaches’ Poll with two straight losses to Quincy University on Jan. 22 and Lewis University on Jan. 24. Despite the bump, the ‘Hounds have won its last two games.
“I plan on coaching the way my players plan on playing. We will make defense a focus,” head coach LeAnn Freeland said. “We had a practice where all the players were present and we finally had the whole team. I think that gave everyone a lift.”
First entering the poll in January, UIndy was ranked 23rd in the nation after riding a six-game win streak.
Since falling out of the polls, the Greyhounds have improved their regular season record to 19-5 by defeating St. Joseph’s College 85-48 on Jan. 31. Sophomore Samantha Meissel was the top scorer of the night with 25 points.
UIndy was able to add another win to its record by defeating University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 75-58 on Jan. 29.
The Greyhounds went on the road and won against Missouri University of Science & Technology on Jan. 17 while still ranked 22nd in the nation. . Missing their leading scorer, Meissel, sophomore Sarah Fenneman and senior Isabel Rhenwrick combined with 30 points to lead the Greyhounds to their 17th victory.
“Being ranked felt well deserved considering how hard we have worked to get noticed in the polls.” Meissel said. “It is something we hope to improve on even though every team will be playing their best game against you.”
With an eight-game winning streak, the Greyhounds entered Weiser Gym of Drury University on Jan. 15. Drury shot 52 percent from the floor. The Panthers went on to defeat the ‘Hounds 74-52 to end its eight-win streak.
Previously, UIndy defeated two more teams, the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Jan. 8 and Rockhurst University on Jan. 10, to complete the eight-game winning streak that ranked them 19th in the nation.
“It is a tribute to what the players have accomplished,” Freeland said. “It is exciting even though it is more responsibility since every team is out to beat a ranked team.
