Entering halftime of Saturday’s game, IUPUI was in unfamiliar territory, leading the Phoenix of Green Bay by 4. It was a matchup of the bottom two teams in the Horizon League and they were combined for 1 total league win on the season- that was held by Green Bay, so the Jaguars of IUPUI were looking to get on track.
The Jags were coming off a heartbreaking loss to Milwaukee just a few days prior so they wanted vengeance and that’s exactly what they got. While they still had issues hustling for loose balls, they played with more intensity and pressured the offense much more.
The Jaguars (3-21) held one more win on the season than the Phoenix (2-21) but played like they were well over .500. They shot the ball 16% better, had 13 more rebounds, shot better from the FT line and just played better all around.
It wasn’t pretty; This was a statement game for IUPUI and the 68-53 win was not only one they desperately needed but was also their first win since mid-December. They have a lot more work to do and a long way to go in order to compete with teams like Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky- both of which hold a tie with Milwaukee for the top of the Horizon League.
However, Saturday’s win showed the Jaguars aren’t willing to give up just yet and that they have a lot more fight left in the tank.
-Reggie Edwards
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