IU SOUTHEAST STYMIES BRESCIA'S OFFENSE IN 61-43 WIN

OWENSBORO, Ky. – Stellar defense propelled the IU Southeast women's basketball team to victory 61-43 over Brescia University on Saturday afternoon.

Emmy Ralph led the Grenadiers in scoring with 15 points in the victory. Brynna Blackburn provided a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points and adding 6 rebounds. Alex Maher had 11 points and a team-leading 8 rebounds in the contest.

IU Southeast (5-3, 2-0 RSC) led the entire first quarter, extending their lead to as many as 11. The Grenadiers opened the first by attacking Brescia from the outside. The first four Grenadier shots were three-point attempts by Emmy Ralph, who connected on two of them to give IU Southeast a quick 6-0 lead. An Alex Maher layup in the closing seconds gave the Grenadiers a 16-8 lead after the first quarter.

Alex Maher and Emmy Ralph had eight and six points, respectively, in the first. The two combined for 14 of the team's 16 first quarter points.

The second quarter was not as smooth for IU Southeast. The Grenadiers endured a five-minute scoring drought, and Brescia apitalized. An 8-0 run brought Brescia within one, but a Lettie Nice jumper stopped the Bearcat momentum and sent the Grenadiers into the locker room with a 25-22 halftime lead.  

The third quarter is where the Grenadiers took control of the game. IU Southeast scored the first six points after the half on back-to-back threes by Emmy Ralph and Brynna Blackburn. The Grenadiers hit six threes in the third, capped off by a Leah Miller three to give IU Southeast a 47-29 lead heading into the fourth.

IU Southeast led by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter. Brescia tried to mount a comeback with a 7-0 run, but the Grenadier defense proved to be too much for the Bearcats. IU Southeast would go on to win 61-43.

IU Southeast held Brescia to 26.5 percent from the field in the game and did not allow a made three-pointer after the first quarter. The Bearcats went just 1-17 from behind the arc in the contest. The Grenadiers hit 11 of their 32 three-point attempts.

IU Southeast hosts conference opponent Midway University on Tuesday.