Sophomore guards Melanie Ploger and Megan Casad both recorded season highs as the Panther women’s basketball team defeated the Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis Jaguars 60-57 Saturday afternoon at Lantz Arena.

Ploger shot 3-5 from beyond the arc, and hit all six of her free-throw tries on the way to a game-high 17 points. Casad was also 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and finished the game with 14 points.

The Panthers (3-2) opened the game on fire from three-point land, as Ploger and senior guard Sarah Riva knocked down four straight to get the Panthers out to a quick 12-4 lead.

Eastern later extended its lead to 13 after another Riva three midway through the first half. Riva attributed the hot shooting to wanting to set the tone early for the rest of the team.

“Coming out hot early gave me a burst of confidence and really sparked the team,” Riva said. “I know I went cold later, but (Ploger) picked up the slack and kept us going.”

The Jaguars (0-6) wouldn’t go away easily, as they used full-court pressure to force the Panthers into 22 turnovers, which cut the lead to single digits for most of the second half.

“We started four guards because of their press. We were a little out of sync earlier and that forced some turnovers,” Riva said. “But, once we regrouped and made the right passes, we cut down on the turnovers.”

The Jaguars came within a point twice in the final minute as IUPUI junior forward Kia Hayes hit two three-point baskets down the stretch. However, Ploger hit four free throws in the final minute to preserve the Panther victory.

Senior center Pam O’Connor joined Ploger and Casad as the only other Panther in double figures with 10 points. She also grabbed a game-high of 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.

Riva finished the game with nine points and five rebounds on 3-of-6 shooting to aide the winning effort.

The Panthers will be in action again Thursday night as they travel to East Lansing, Mich. to face the No. 15 Michigan State Spartans (4-1).