FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Interstat) — Fort Wayne used a dominant third quarter to defeat IU Indy 71-46 in a Horizon League women’s basketball game Monday at Gates Sports Center. The Mastodons, who led 27-16 at halftime, outscored the Jaguars 24-15 in the third period to secure the victory. Alana Nelson led Fort Wayne with 15 points. Lili Krasovec added 12 points and two blocks. Hailey Smith scored 11 points for IU Indy, which struggled offensively with only 16 first-half points. Fort Wayne improved to 11-5 overall. IU Indy fell to 5-10. An announced crowd of 509 watched the game.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Fort Wayne Mastodons used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from the IU Indy Jaguars and secure a 71-46 victory in a Horizon League women’s basketball game Monday night at Gates Sports Center. In a matchup where Fort Wayne was a heavy favorite, the Mastodons methodically broke down the Jaguars after a sluggish first half, improving to 11-5 overall. IU Indy, struggling to find consistent offense, fell to 5-10. The game’s pivotal shift came immediately after halftime. Leading by just 11 points, Fort Wayne erupted with a 24-point third quarter, effectively putting the contest out of reach. The Mastodons’ offensive execution was crisp, and their defense stifled IU Indy into rushed shots and turnovers during the period. This decisive 10-minute stretch transformed a competitive game into a lopsided affair, showcasing the depth and balance that has defined Fort Wayne’s season. Fort Wayne established control early, closing the first quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 17-7. IU Indy, led by guard Hailey Smith’s aggressive play, managed to stay within striking distance in the second quarter, trailing 27-16 at the intermission. The Jaguars’ offensive woes, however, were evident as they shot just 16 points in the first half. The Mastodons’ depth proved overwhelming. Alana Nelson, a 5-foot-11 forward from Springport, Michigan, led all scorers with 15 points and was a force defensively. Lili Krasovec, a 6-3 center from Budapest, Hungary, added 12 points and two blocks in just 18 minutes of action. The backcourt duo of Rylee Bess (11 points) and Nika Lokica (11 points) provided additional scoring punch, while point guard Lauren Lee of Dunnville, Kentucky, orchestrated the offense with a game-high six assists. For IU Indy, Smith, a hometown product from Fishers, Indiana, finished with 11 points and three assists. Sydney Bolden added eight points, and Australian guard Jemma Amoore provided a spark off the bench with six points in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars were hampered by turnovers and an inability to sustain scoring runs against Fort Wayne’s persistent defense. The Mastodons, who entered the game with a 95.7 percent probability to win according to National Statistical’s ELO system, validated that projection with a comprehensive performance. They swept the season series from IU Indy, having also won 74-68 in Indianapolis on Dec. 3. The announced attendance was 509 at the Mastodons’ home arena. Fort Wayne now looks ahead to a quick turnaround with a road game at Robert Morris on Thursday. IU Indy, mired in a two-game losing streak, will seek to regroup before hosting Wright State on Sunday.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Interstat) — A surging Fort Wayne women’s basketball team looks to continue its strong Horizon League start when it hosts struggling IU Indy on Monday night at Gates Sports Center. The Mastodons (10-5) enter the conference matchup riding momentum from an 84-64 road victory at Oakland on Friday. They have won five of their last six games, with their only loss in that stretch a narrow 88-85 overtime defeat to Northern Kentucky. Fort Wayne’s success is fueled by standout guard Alana Nelson, who is averaging 22.2 points over her last five contests. She scored 24 points in the win at Oakland and poured in 26 points in a victory over Wright State on Dec. 7. Her backcourt mate, Lili Krasovec, added 15 points and three assists against the Golden Grizzlies. IU Indy (5-9) seeks to halt a two-game skid after a 63-44 loss at Northern Kentucky on Friday. The Jaguars’ offense has sputtered, failing to reach 50 points in three of their last five outings. Guard Hailey Smith leads IU Indy, averaging 9.4 points per game. She scored 13 points and dished five assists in a win over Milwaukee on Dec. 29 but was held to eight points in the recent loss to Northern Kentucky. This is a quick rematch of a Dec. 3 meeting in Indianapolis, which Fort Wayne won 74-68. Nelson scored 21 points in that victory for the Mastodons, while Smith led the Jaguars with 14 points. The matchup pits one of the Horizon League’s top offenses against one of its lowest-scoring units. Fort Wayne averages 73.1 points per game, while IU Indy averages just 60.9. Following Monday’s game, Fort Wayne hits the road for contests at Robert Morris on Thursday and Youngstown State on Saturday. IU Indy returns home to host Wright State on Jan. 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.