Box Score University Park, Ill. -- The Indiana University Northwest women's basketball team had a big first quarter against Governors State but it was not enough as the Jaguars came out on top, 63-59, Saturday.
IUN was up 10-9 early in the first quarter. Ashley O'Malley (Crown Point, Ind.), Jayla Crump (Kouts, Ind./Kouts) scored baskets then Breanna Boles (Lapel, Ind.) converted a huge and-one to spark a 7-0 run to go ahead 17-9.
Alexis Vieck (Bicknell, Ind.) ended the quarter with a bucket to make it 22-13 in favor of the RedHawks. IUN shot 90% (9-10) during the opening quarter.
Governors State rallied in the second quarter to make it closer. The Jaguars scored back-to-back baskets including a three to cut it to four (22-18). Boles knocked down a huge three-pointer and O'Malley hit a basket to make it a nine-point contest again.
The Jaguars did not go away as GSU went on a 10-4 run including a basket with five seconds left in the half to make it 31-28 IUN going into the break.
Both teams were close for the second half. Jessy Siems (Cedar Lake, Ind./Hanover Central) put the RedHawks ahead 37-30.
GSU then outscored IUN 8-3 to make it 40-38 RedHawks with 2:40 left in the third quarter. IUN would go up 45-40 before the Jaguars ended the quarter with a bucket to cut it to a three point deficit.
Governors State tied it at 53-all with 3:03 left in the game. Boles gave the RedHawks the lead with 1:51 left then GSU tied it with 1:33 left after that both teams did not score the rest of regulation and went into overtime.
Both teams traded early points in overtime then the Jaguars went up 60-59 with 30 seconds left after spliting a pair at the line. IUN was not able to score again as GSU sealed the game with a pair of free throws to make it 62-59.
Boles led the RedHawks with a double-double 16 points and 13 rebounds. O'Malley and Smolen recorded 10 points to round out the RedHawks leaders.
IUN returns to action Wednesday, January 8 as the RedHawks host Holy Cross College at the Savannah Center starting at 5:30 p.m. CT.
