The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis women’s basketball upset No. 3 Michigan Tech University 79-52 on Saturday, Nov. 19. Four Greyhounds scored in double digits.

Junior guard Kristin Turner made four out of six three-pointers and ended the night with a career-high of 16 points. Junior forward Sydney Weinert added 15 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals for UIndy.

The Greyhounds led by 16 points going into the half. Two of Turner’s three-pointers came in the first five minutes of the second half, which put UIndy up 48-25.

The Huskies could not pull within 18 points the remainder of the game and the Greyhounds took the victory.

UIndy lost to both Ashland University and California University of Pennsylvania in the season opener at the Tip-Off  Tournament in Pennsylvania.

The Greyhounds lost to Ashland 74-69 in the consolation game of the tournament on Nov. 13.

The Greyhounds led early in the second half, but the efforts of the Eagles’ senior guard Jena Stutzman and junior guard/forward Kari Daugherty were difficult to defend for the Greyhounds.  The two Eagles together scored 40 points.

Several Greyhounds found their scoring touch against Ashland. Senior guard Megan Gardner and Weinert scored 12 points each. Weinert also added six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Gardner’s points all came from the three-point range; something the Greyhounds have struggled with but is still encouraged by Head Coach Constantin Popa’s offense.

“We’re looking for good shots,” Popa said. “If we have a good shot, knowing the type of players we have, then I won’t hold them back.”

The Greyhounds also lost 64-57 in a tight game with the host team, California University of Pennsylvania on Nov. 12.

Junior forward Nickole Gonser led the Greyhounds with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

After coming back from an eight- point deficit, the Greyhounds traded leads with the Vulcans well into the second half of the game.

The Greyhounds used their transitional offense to get back into the game. Sophomore guard Katy Macintosh said she is comfortable running this type of offense.

“Our offense looks to push the ball more. I really like that,” Macintosh said. “That’s all I’ve really ever done.”

When the Greyhounds did have the opportunity to run fast breaks, they came away successful. However, the Greyhounds did not have many opportunities because of both the Vulcans’  and Eagles’ defense, which allowed only a combined four fast break points between both games.

Turnovers also were a problem for the Greyhounds, with more than 15 turnovers in each game.

However, UIndy’s offense continued to improve from the team’s exhibition games, as field goal percentage increased every game.

The Greyhounds are also starting to find their accuracy from beyond the arc, knocking down 36 percent of  their three-pointers against Ashland.

“I think it’s just a matter of time. This is the beginning of the season, and we have to adjust our shots, and they will start falling,” Popa said. “I know we can hit shots. It’s just a matter of time. It’s all about confidence.”

Over the holidays, the Greyhounds will host the Thanksgiving Classic. The first game will be on Nov.  25 against Saginaw Valley State University.

Coach Popa has confidence in his team and said they have what it takes to win games.

“All I ask of them is to go and fight, go and compete and see what happens,” Popa said. “We do have a pretty good team when we go out there and compete.”