TERRE HAUTE, Ind.  – Indiana State had late opportunities but couldn't follow through as it dropped a tough one-point decision to Omaha, 50-51, on Saturday night inside Hulman Center.

Redshirt junior Cierra Ceazer paced Indiana State with a double-double, the first in her Sycamore career, with 16 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Redshirt junior Kelsey Dirks added a career-high 12 points while senior guard Alexis Newbolt added five rebounds.

The Sycamores played behind the Mavericks for a majority of the game, holding its only lead just 19 seconds into the contest. They trailed 8-10 after the first quarter and allowed Omaha to take a 10 point lead in the second quarter as part of a 10-0 run. The Mavs took a 31-22 lead into the locker rooms at halftime but ISU did come out to win the third quarter, 17-9.

A 4:11 scoring drought by the Mavs helped Indiana State chip away at the visitors lead on a 5-0 run late in the third quarter. Freshman guard Jennifer Mackowiak made a dazzling one handed running jumper as the time expired in the third to cut the lead down to one, 39-40.

It was a game of chances for the Sycamores in the fourth quarter, as it never led UNO lead by more than five in the final 10 minutes. A one-dribble 3-pointer by senior guard Alexis Newbolt tied it up 42-42 at 7:26 but Omaha's Remy Davenport answered with a triple of her own.

The lead was again cut down to one with a junior forward Rhagen Smith bucket but back-to-back Omaha buckets pushed the lead to five with 1:45 to play. Dirks added a pair of free throws along with one more from Ceazer narrowed it back down to a two point lead for UNO with 56 seconds left.

Holding for the final shot, Indiana State got the ball to redshirt junior Joyea Marshall who was fouled on the baseline shot attempt but only got one of two free throws to fall with four seconds on the clock. UNO would get a chance to extend its lead at the line as well, missing both and giving ISU a final shot at the buzzer but the shot by redshirt sophomore Ashley Taia was no good.

COACH'S CORNER

GAME CHANGER

Indiana State shot 32.1 percent from the floor and committed 11 turnovers in the Saturday night loss in the first meeting ever between the two schools. Indiana State had opportunities late even with a chance at the buzzer to make a play but ultimately falls to 1-3 on the young 2015-16 season.   

SYCAMORE LEADERS

Points – Cierra Ceazer (16)

Rebounds – Cierra Ceazer (13)

Assists – B. Artis/A. Taia (1)

Steals – Cierra Ceazer (4)

Blocks – 4 players (1)

ABOUT THE SQUAD

Field Goal % - 32.1

Free Throw % - 20.0

Assists – 2

Steals – 8

Rebounds -40

RECORDS
Indiana State: 1-3

Omaha: 2-1

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

1 – Indiana State drops a one point decision for the first time since 2012-13 (vs. Illinois State)

1 – First double-double of her ISU career for redshirt senior Cierra Ceazer who tied a career-high 16 points and 13 boards and it also marked Ceazer's fourth-straight games in double-digits

12 – A new career-high for redshirt junior Kelsey Dirks who scored in double-figures for the first time in her career

UP NEXT

Indiana State wraps up its three-game homestand when it hosts Saint Louis on Wednesday night. The Sycamores will host their Toys for Tots event as fans are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Marine Toys for Tots campaign. Bins will be placed at the main entrance of Hulman Center for fans to donate toys. 

For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.