Postseason arrives
The University of Indianapolis women’s basketball team ended its regular season on Feb. 17 with a 53-42 loss to GLVC opponent Northern Kentucky University (17-9, 11-7 GLVC) in Nicoson Hall.
Sophomore guard Kristin Turner defends a Kentucky Wesleyan University player during UIndy’s Pink Game. Photo by Elizabeth Wheeler.
The Greyhounds finished the year with a 14-12 record, 9-9 in the GLVC. The night also saw the Greyhounds recognize senior center Katie Lyons, as it was the last time she would play at Nicoson Hall.
Freshman guard Katy McIntosh was the only UIndy player to score in double digits, finishing with 13 points. Both sophomore guard Heather Gonser and Lyons finished with seven points.
The Norse defense proved to be too much for the team as the Greyhounds were held to an 18.8 percent field goal percentage in the first half and to 25 percent in the second half.
The team defeated Bellarmine University (11-15, 6-12 GLVC), 79-53, on Feb. 14.
Freshman guard Shelby Wall scored a team-high 14 points in the win. Lyons and freshman guard Diana Jovanovic each scored 13 points and Gonser rounded out the double-digit scoring by finishing with 11 points.
The 26 point win saw a 65.4 percent field goal percentage to lead the Greyhounds to victory.
The Greyhounds played their third annual Pink Zone game on Saturday, Feb. 12 against Kentucky Wesleyan College (17-8, 11-7 GLVC).
Although the Greyhounds lost 77-63, they had another perspective on the game and played knowing it was for a good cause.
“The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) embraces the Pink Zone game to raise awareness for breast cancer,” said Head Coach LeAnn Freeland.
All proceeds went to the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation, a foundation that began in December of 2007, while former North Carolina State University head women’s basketball coach was battling breast cancer. She later passed away, in 2009.
The team wore pink jerseys to help raise awareness. UIndy fans and supporters also wore pink to support the theme of the game.
“Usually I’m hard on myself, but I realized there are worse things going on right now,” said freshman guard Rose Savela.
“I’m just grateful I was able to play that night.”
Savela was excited about her first Pink Zone game and loved seeing the big crowd there to support the cause and cheer for the Greyhounds.
“All of our team has had breast cancer affect their families and/or friends,” Savela said.
Savela had spoken to her best friend’s mother, a breast cancer survivor, before the game and told her, “I’m playing for you tonight.”
Lyons led the team with 19 points.
“We are a completely different team compared to last year’s Pink Zone game,” Freeland said.
The Greyhounds now await the first round of the GLVC Conference Tournament to be held on Feb. 26. If they survive the first round, they will travel to St. Louis, Mo. for the finals.
