Grenadiers Thwart IU Kokomo’s Upset Attempt in 70-67 Victory

NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Southeast women's basketball team took IU Kokomo's best punch, but the Grenadiers held on to defeat the Cougars 70-67.

The Grenadiers started the game with six straight points and 13 of the first 18 to take a 13-5 lead. An Emmy Ralph jumper gave the Grenadiers their first double digit lead at 17-7. IU Southeast led 21-12 after the first quarter.

A Jesse Ledgerwood three-pointer a minute into the second quarter gave the Grenadiers a 26-15 lead. Back-to-back layups extended the IU Southeast lead to 33-20 to force an IU Kokomo timeout.

Trailing 34-22, IU Kokomo scored eight straight points to narrow the deficit to four. A three pointer by the Cougars cut the IU Southeast to one at 36-35. The Grenadiers led 39-37 at halftime.

IU Kokomo hit back-to-back threes early in the third quarter to take their first lead at 43-41. A steal and a layup by Karly Sweeney gave IU Southeast the lead back at 47-46.

 With the score tied at 51-51, Leah Miller connected on a three to give the Grenadiers a 54-51 advantage. Trailing 57-53, the Cougars scored the last three points of the quarter to head into the fourth down one at 57-56.

IU Kokomo hit a jumper to begin the fourth quarter, giving them a 58-57 lead. A Sierra Graham layup gave the Grenadiers the lead back at 59-58. The two teams traded layups, and an IU Kokomo free throw tied the game 61-61 with six minutes left.

The Cougars took a 65-63 lead, but Emmy Ralph responded with a layup to tie the game 65-65 with four minutes remaining. The two teams went scoreless the next two minutes before an Alex Maher free throw gave IU Southeast a 66-65 lead with two minutes remaining.

Emmy Ralph drew an offensive foul and Leah Miller hit a layup on the ensuing possession to give IU Southeast a 68-65 lead with 90 seconds remaining. An IU Kokomo layup brought the game within one, but Karly Sweeney answered with a layup of her own to give the Grenadiers a three-point edge once again.

IU Southeast forced a turnover, but IU Kokomo forced a shot clock violation to get the ball back down three with five seconds remaining. IU Kokomo had a shot to tie it, but it came up short as IU Southeast secured a 70-67 victory.

Leah Miller led the Grenadiers with 20 points. Emmy Ralph scored 15 points and shared the team lead with Brynna Blackburn with three assists. Alex Maher scored nine points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Sierra Graham scored five points and pulled down seven rebounds. Lauren Lambdin, Jesse Ledgerwood and Karly Sweeney scored six points apiece.

IU Southeast's victory moves them to 17-8 overall and 10-6 in RSC play. The Grenadiers return to action on Tuesday at home against IU East in a pivotal RSC matchup.