Purdue Fort Wayne
Southern Utah
Mastodons Clip Thunderbirds, 81-70
12/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2007
Fort Wayne, IN - The Mastodons start off their first season in the Summit League with their first conference win after defeating the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, 81-70 Thursday night at the Memorial Coliseum.
"Tonight was obviously a big night for us, our first conference game in school history." said Chris Paul. "We came out tonight with a lot of enthusiasm and had a good start. Obviously we shot extremely well and had a lot of confidence in tonight's game."
The Thunderbirds came out to start the first half with a quick 4-0 run, but Maggie O'Connell cut it to one with a three-pointer, 4-3. Southern Utah once again ran off to a four point lead at 8-4 with 18:06 left in the first. IPFW fought back, tying the game at 14 all with another three-pointer, this time from Jordan Zuppe.
IPFW would take a five point lead just two minutes later, 19-14, and would stretch it to ten at the 7:02 mark, 37-27. The Mastodons would hold a strong lead for the rest of the half, going into the break up by thirteen, 48-35.
The Mastodons would go into halftime having made nine three pointers and shooting 61.3% from the field overall and 75% from the arc.
"We had some defensive breakdowns in the first half, but to be able to go into halftime up by thirteen, I was very pleased with our overall effort. At halftime we told them that Southern Utah has a history of cutting down big leads, they play an awfully tough schedule and they did just that in the second half to us."
The Mastodons took their largest lead in the second half, going up by 18 at the 14:22 mark, 58-42. Southern Utah began to slowly cut away at the 'Dons lead after that point, cutting it to ten with 7:47 left, 66-56. Just four minutes later IPFW's lead was just three points, 70-67.
A late 7-1 run by the 'Dons would push them ahead by nine with just 24 seconds left in the game, 79-70. IPFW would finish the game with an 11 point advantage, 81-70.
"I preach over and over every game to our girls that every game is tough, but good teams find a way to win. We have to answer every run and its great to get off to a good 1-0 start in the Summit League."
Johnna Lewis-Carlisle led the 'Dons in scoring with 24 points, her fourth game with 20 plus points this season. She was 3 of 6 from the arc and 7 of 8 at the free throw line. She added eight assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
Tina Moen connected for 13 points while Jordan Zuppe had 12 points and was 3 of 6 overall. Samantha Edwards rounded out the 'Dons in double figure points with 10 points.
Edwards, Moen and Lewis-Carlisle led the 'Dons in rebounds with four each.
The Thunderbirds finished with three ladies in double figure points. Anne Westwood led SUU offensively and defensively with 19 points and eight boards. Challis Pascucci had 15 points and Aubrey Mackintosh had 13 points.
The Mastodons (3-3, 1-0 Summit League) will host UMKC on Saturday at 1 PM at the Memorial Coliseum in another Summit League doubleheader. The 'Dons will have a two game road swing at Duquesne (Dec. 16) and Butler (Dec. 20) before hosting Detroit on December 21st and St. Bonaventure on the 23rd.
~Dons~
