DAYTON — The Wright State women's basketball program opened Horizon League play with a 79-67 victory over IUPUI to extend its winning streak to five games on Thursday night inside the Nutter Center. 

The Raiders (5-2, 1-0 HL) are off to their best seven-game start since the 2017-18 season. WSU also remained unbeaten at home with a perfect 4-0 record. Meanwhile, IUPUI dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in conference action with its sixth consecutive loss. 

Wright State had four players score in double figures, led by Alexis Hutchison with a game-leading 22 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. She surpassed 1,500 collegiate points on a jumper late in the fourth quarter. 

Layne Ferrell totaled 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting in addition to team-high marks in steals (4) and blocks (3). Lauren Scott shot 6-of-8 from the field en route to 13 points, while Kacee Baumhower added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Rachel Loobie was just shy of her first collegiate double-double, as she tallied nine points and nine rebounds. 

The Raiders were efficient on the offensive end once again, finishing 42 percent (29-of-69) from the field, 46.7% (7-of-15) on 3-pointers, and 82.4% (14-of-17) at the charity stripe. WSU edged the Jaguars in points in the paint (38-32), points off turnovers (13-10), and fastbreak points (13-6). 

Defensively, Wright State held IUPUI to 38.1% (24-of-63) shooting, which included a 35.7% (5-of-14) mark from beyond the arc. The Jaguars benefited with 21 free throw attempts, knocking down 14 of the opportunities. Katie Davidson led the visitors with 16 points and five steals. Logan Lewis recorded an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. 

The Raiders trailed 5-2 early at the 6:58 minute mark of the opening quarter but closed the period on a 16-4 run to go up 18-9. WSU limited the Jaguars to just three field goals and one free throw make in the first 10 minutes of play. Jada Tate, Hutchison, Loobie, and Scott made two shots apiece to pace the offense's strong start. 

Wright State was outscored 22-19 in the second quarter but still entered halftime in front 37-31. Six individuals scored five-plus points in the first half, led by Hutchison's nine. The Raider frontcourt imposed their will with an 18-12 advantage in points in the paint and a 24-21 rebounding edge. 

Both teams scored 21 points in the third quarter to keep Wright State's six-point margin (58-52) with 10 minutes to go. Ferrell contributed on both ends in the period, tallying seven points, one steal, and one block. Baumhower added five points and two steals. 

IUPUI opened the fourth quarter on an 8-1 run and found itself in a one-possession game, 66-63, at the 5:23 minute mark. The Raiders halted the late comeback with a 13-4 scoring edge in the remaining five minutes of play. In the closing stretch, Wright State shot 6-of-8 at the free throw line to ice the game. 

WSU continues Horizon League play at Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday, December 3. The game will start at 2 p.m. and stream on ESPN+.