Team Effort Leads ‘Dons to First Win of the Season

Monday, November 18

Fort Wayne, Ind.

7 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

1-4

Southern Illinois

0-3

Southern Illinois

IPFW

Photo by: Lucas Carter

Team Effort Leads ‘Dons to First Win of the Season

11/18/2013 9:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (.pdf) | BOX SCORE (.htm) | PHOTO GALLERY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - It was a team effort for the IPFW women's basketball team as they picked up their first win of the season as 10 different players score for the Mastodons (1-4 overall) in their 79-62 victory over Southern Illinois.

Amanda Hyde led all scorers with a game-high 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting and connected on all eight of her free throw attempts. Haley Seibert added in a season-high 19 points while Ariana Simmons also scored in double figures for the 'Dons with 11 points.

After SIU jumped out to an early lead, the 'Dons fought back taking their first and only lead they would need at 10-8 on a pair of free throws from Hyde. The Mastodons continued to push their defense as they got a block from Jessie Manwaring which led to a fast break layup by Simmons. IPFW increased their lead to seven as Seibert hit a three and then a long jumper with 10:26 to play.

The 'Dons pushed their lead to nine after a layup by Seibert and then got a jumper from Simmons. After exchanged baskets, Rachel Mauk would pick off a Salukis pass and go the length of the court for the layup giving the Mastodons a 10 point advantage.

Later, IPFW would get a three from Courtney Ogle to push the 'Dons lead to 13 with 1:24 remaining in the half. The Salukis would get a pair of baskets in the final 1:01 but IPFW led things 38-29 at the break.

Southern Illinois would hit three of the first four buckets of the second half as they cut into the Mastodon lead at 40-35.

IPFW would hold SIU without a point over a three minute stretch as they pushed their lead back to eight after a steal by Seibert and a dish to Rachel Mauk for the easy layup.

Over the next several minutes the two sides exchanged points before Seibert hit a pair of free throws followed by a three from the left wing before Hyde connected from the right elbow to give the Mastodons a 68-52 lead.

Hyde would connect on an and-one chance as she hit the layup as she was fouled and connected on the ensuing free throw to give the 'Dons an 18 point lead with 2:44 left as they held the Salukis offense off in the final minutes.

For the Mastodons, Rachel Mauk and Mur Hagerman led the team with five rebounds apiece, while Mauk finished with eight points and Hagerman with seven. Mauk would also lead all players with five assists and three steals with Seibert also making three steals on the night.

Two players in Jessie Manwaring and Alexis Richards scored their first collegiate baskets in the game.

As a team, IPFW shot over 50 percent for the second straight game as they connected on 27-of-52 (51.9%) from the floor. The 'Dons were also hot from the free throw line as they hit 20 of their 22 chances. Turnovers were key for the Mastodons as they used 18 Saluki turnovers to their advantage turning them into 23 points.

IPFW will have a day off before taking to the court for their fifth game in nine days as they face Grace (IN) College on November 20 at 11:30 a.m. as part of the IPFW Fitness Day Challenge.

~ Feel the Rumble ~