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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa – Junior forward Danielle Smith recorded a 12-point, 12-rebound “double-double” in a losing cause Saturday afternoon as the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team dropped a 63-47 decision to visiting Indiana (Pa.).

Sophomore guard Bethany Caudill and senior guard Grace Palucis (right photo) each added nine points in a substitute role for SRU, which saw its season records fall to 3-19 overall, 1-9 against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division rivals.

Indiana, which is tied for first place in the PSAC-West standings, improved its records to 16-5 overall, 8-1 in the division.

The Rock seeks to end a three-game losing skid Wednesday when it opens a three-game road trip at California (Pa.).

After visiting Mercyhurst (Feb. 19) and Gannon (Feb. 23), The Rock closes out its 2010-11 schedule with a Feb. 26 home game vs. Edinboro (1 p.m. tipoff).

The outcome of Saturday's game was never really in doubt as Indiana scored 15 of the first 17 points in the game to take a 13-point lead after six minutes of time had elapsed.

SRU responded with a 14-4 run in the next eight minutes to trim the deficit to three, 19-16, with six minutes before halftime, only to have Indiana come right back with a 12-4 run to take an 11-point, 31-20, advantage with 2:30 left before the intermission.

The Crimson Hawks took an eight-point, 33-25, lead into halftime after they shot 44% (12-27) from the field, 33% (3-9) from 3-point range and 67% (6-9) from the foul line in the first 20 minutes.

The Rock shot 46% (10-22) from the field, 33% (3-9) from 3-point range and made both of their free throws in the first half.

Each team grabbed 14 rebounds in the first half. The Rock had 12 turnovers, which Indiana converted into eight points, while Indiana committed eight errors that led to four Rock points.

The Rock enjoyed a 17-4 advantage in points “off the bench,” while Indiana had an 18-8 advantage “in the paint.”

Palucis led The Rock's first-half scoring attack with seven points in a substitute role, while Smith scored six points and grabbed five rebounds and Caudill and freshman guard Julie Byer each scored five points after coming off the bench. Claar had 11 points and Marshall 10 for Indiana.

Indiana opened the second half with an 18-7 run to extend its lead to 19 points, 51-32, with 11:15 left to play. SRU never closed the margin to less than 14 points the rest of the way.

The Rock finished the game with a 39% (19-49) efficiency on its field goal attempts, a 25% (4-16) efficiency from 3-point range and a 71% (5-7) effort from the foul line.

Indiana shot 40% (23-58) from the field, 25% (4-16) from 3-point range and 77% (13-17) from the foul line.

Each team grabbed 34 rebounds in the game. Indiana converted 20 Rock turnovers into 16 points, while The Rock scored seven points off 11 Indiana errors.

The guests outscored SRU “in the paint” by a 28-22 margin but the hosts held a 23-6 advantage in scoring “off the bench.”