Andujar, IU to take on IUPUI

The Hoosiers will travel to Indianapolis for their closest road game of the season to take on IU-Purdue University Indianapolis. The match is set to tip off at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Jungle, the Jaguar’s home court.

This will be the Hoosiers’ last game before the fall semester officially ends.

IU and IUPUI last faced each other on Nov. 15, 2009. IU won that battle by a score of 75-52.

The Hoosiers hope the result will be the same as last time to not only snap their streak, but to also help improve their 2-6 record that puts them at the bottom of the Big Ten so far.

IUPUI’s Summit League, however, has begun play. The Jaguars are right in the middle of their conference standings at 1-1. They have a 4-5 record overall.

Unlike the Hoosiers, their longest streak of the year, winning or losing, is two, resulting from consecutive wins against Lamar and North Dakota State.

The Hoosiers’ youth and lack of experience have hurt them so far this year, so the timing for IUPUI is ideal for them.

Their roster contains two seniors, and only one, Janna Eichelberger, has played in a game for the Jaguars this year.

Another streak the Hoosiers hope to kill is their consecutive games of being out-rebounded by their opponents, which is also at five.

The loss of senior forward Georgie Jones could damage the team’s chances of ending the streak, but fellow senior forward Danilsa Andujar has stepped up her play in the two games since Jones’ season-ending injury.

Against Oklahoma State Sunday, she recorded her first double-double of the season and the second of her career with 11 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. She also added a block, assist and steal during the 83-72 loss.

When IU traveled to St. Bonaventure Wednesday, Andujar posted her second straight double-double performance and set career highs for both points and rebounds with 12 and 13, respectively. She was a starter in that game against the Bonnies.

IU Coach Felisha Legette-Jack said she appreciates Andujar’s efforts, but she still wants more of an all-around effort.

Legette-Jack said she expects “the team” to replace Jones for the remainder of the year.

“It was good to see Danilsa Andujar with another double-double performance, but we just need a few others to help her along as we move forward,” she said.

Another player the Hoosiers will look to for inspiration is junior forward Aulani Sinclair. She has now scored in double figures for six straight games.

Like Andujar, however, Legette-Jack doesn’t want the rest of the team relying on her shooting.

“I just never was comfortable with a go-to player and that certainly isn’t going to begin now,” Legette-Jack said. “I think we can’t begin now.

“Every day somebody can become something significant. My hope is that they all believe that.”