UIndy 74 - Saginaw Valley 64
INDIANAPOLIS- UIndy got 23 points for senior Samantha Meissel Wednesday night, as the 10th-ranked Greyhounds held off a pesky Saginaw Valley State squad, 74-64, in the 2010-11 opener. The Hounds (1-0) combined to sink 11-of-12 free throws down the stretch to hold off the visiting Cardinals.
Saginaw Valley (1-1) started the game hot, hitting each of its first three shots, all from long range. The production was short-lived, however, as after the initial barrage, the Cardinals were held to just one field goal over the next nine minutes.
Smart shot selection allowed the Greyhounds to go up by as much as 15 points midway through the half, but later in frame the UIndy offense also stalled. Meanwhile, SVSU crept back in the game, finishing the half on a 16-6 run to cut the Greyhound lead to 35-30 at the break.
The Greyhound advantage stayed at single digits for most of the second half. UIndy looked for the knockout blow late, as a pair of Heather Gonser free throws upped the margin to 13 with just 2:44 to go.
The Cardinals would not go away, as Kristin Greene connected on back-to-back triples to get back within seven. However, UIndy’s success at the foul line kept the visitors at arm’s reach.
Both teams shot right at 38 percent for the game, but the Hounds forced 10 more turnovers than they surrendered while grabbing six more offensive rebounds.
The Greyhounds held reigning GLIAC "Player of the Week" Cheritee Green to just seven points. Last Friday, the Central Michigan transfer amassed 15 points and 18 rebounds in the Cardinals win over GLVC-member Lewis, but was all but a non-factor Wednesday.
Meissel finished 9-for-16 from the floor while securing eight rebounds. Though Meissel was the only Greyhound to reach double digits, five other Hounds scored at least five points. Nickole Gonser added nine boards and Cayla Keegan dished out five assists.
UIndy hits the road…or rather the air, as the team heads off to the Boston area for the 3rd-annual Courtyard by Marroitt Classic, hosted by Merrimack College. The four-team event starts with the Greyhounds taking on Shepherd Friday at 5:30 PM.