‘Dons Cruise to Victory After A Blistering First Half Start

Wednesday, November 20

Fort Wayne, Ind.

11:30 a.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

2-4

Grace (IN)

2-6

Grace (IN)

IPFW

Photo by: Lucas Carter

‘Dons Cruise to Victory After A Blistering First Half Start

11/20/2013 3:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - For the second straight game, the IPFW women's basketball team showed their depth as 14 players scored for the Mastodons in their 99-54 win over Grace College (IN) at the Gates Sports Center. Over 375 elementary students from Fort Wayne Community Schools made it a great atmosphere cheering on the 'Dons as part of the IPFW Fitness Day Challenge.

Haley Seibert and Rachel Rinehart led IPFW with 19 points in the game while Ariana Simmons added a season-high 17 points off the bench. Amanda Hyde also scored in double figures for the Mastodons as she scored 10 points after coming off the floor early in the second half with the large lead.

The 'Dons actually trailed early on as Grace hit two early three's to go up 6-2. But IPFW stormed back as Rebecca Bruner hit back-to-back jumpers as Amanda Hyde followed with a layup to give them a lead they would never relinquish. Leading 8-7, IPFW would go on a 29-2 run as they held the Lancers without a point for over a five minute stretch. By the time Grace hit a pair of free throws with 7:33 left in the half, the Mastodons had stretched their lead to 37-11. IPFW closed out the half with a 58-26 advantage, the second most points they have scored in a first half in school history.

IPFW and Grace exchanged baskets to open the second half before the 'Dons went on a 10-1 run to push their lead to 71-33 just under five minutes in. The Lancers would cut the IPFW lead down to 30 but the Mastodon defense wouldn't allow them to get any closer as they forced 12 turnovers in the second half turning them into 19 points.

Coach Chris Paul used the full depth of his bench as all 15 players saw significant time with 14 of them scoring in the game including freshman Brett Green knocking down her first collegiate basket with 9:53 to go in the second half. Sophomore Hannah Lee saw action for the first time this season after coming off an injury last year and scored her first point.

Rinehart led all players with six assists while Seibert dished out four and Rachel Mauk and Hyde each finished with three. Simmons would lead the 'Dons with a season-high six rebounds and five steals. Courtney Ogle grabbed five rebounds while Brett Green and Rinehart each forced three turnovers.

IPFW hit 66.7% (20-for-30) of their shots in the first half as they finished the game shooting 32-of-58. The Mastodons also connected on a season-high 26-of-38 from the free throw line. For the afternoon, the 'Dons converted 26 Lancer turnovers into 32 points and scored 18 points off fast break opportunities.

The 58 first half points were 10 off the record of 68 scored against Indiana-South Bend on January 6, 2000. It also marked the second time IPFW had scored 58 points in a half against Grace as the 'Dons also did it back on November 23, 1994 in the second half of their game. The last time IPFW scored at least 99 points was November 23, 2010 when they reached 104 versus Indiana Tech.

Finally after playing five games in nine days, IPFW will get some extended time off before heading out on the road to face SIUE on November 26 at 8 p.m.

~ Feel the Rumble ~