The IUPUI Lady Jaguars basketball team kicked off the 2018-2019 season with an exhibition game against sister school Indiana University Kokomo Friday, Nov 2 in the Jungle. Despite the loss of last season’s leading scorer Daniel Lawrence, IUPUI has a gaggle of talent returning at the guard positions. Head Coach Austin Parkinson has a core of talent returning to the post as well, led by sophomore and last season’s Horizon League Freshman of the year Macee Williams.
The Jaguars displayed good ball movement against the IU Kokomo Cougars in the first half, penetrating with precise lane cutting. Williams scored on 10 of her 16 shot attempts and pulled down 10 rebounds. Though it was only an exhibition, the Jaguars impressed in three areas.
First and most notably, IUPUI proved it’s press prowess. The Jaguars forced a whopping 31 turnovers out of the Cougars. The Jaguars can press like this thanks to their second strength, their depth. Third, Macee Williams isn’t the only post star the Jaguars have this season. Morgan Allen is going to be a solid backup for Williams down low. The Greenville, Wisconsin native looked solid in her 2018 season debut with fundamentally sound drop steps, box outs, and seal offs in the post. She made six of seven shots and drew four fouls to go to the free-throw line for three attempts.
IUPUI struggled behind the three-point line, but maintained total control of the game, finishing with the final score of 82-52.
Katlyn O’Reilly played hard showing her capabilities. Coach Austin Parkinson was delighted to see the former top scoring transfer from Florida Atlantic University finally suit up. O’Reilly sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules.
“I thought [O’Reilly], Allex Brown, and Morgan Allen, those three played with the intensity that we’re going to need this season,” said Parkinson.
Agatha Beier led the backcourt with seven assist while Briana Meishler showed great speed and looks to be an additional option to a talented backcourt.
Holly Hoopingarner will look to take on a bigger role this season as the second scoring option to center Macee Williams.
“I think through the course of the year you will see her step up and be somebody that we can really rely on,” Parkinson said.
Riding high from an early season victory, the Jaguars will look to take this momentum into the regular season.
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