Late Free Throws Propel Alice Lloyd Over IU Southeast in RSC Championship Quarterfinal

PIPPA PASSES, Ky. - A pair of free throws with one second on the clock lifted Alice Lloyd to a 74-73 victory over the IU Southeast women's basketball team.

IU Southeast scored the first six points of the game, forcing an early Alice Lloyd timeout. Alice Lloyd came back, as a three by the Eagles brought the Grenadier lead back down to four at 11-7. IU Southeast led 21-18 after the first quarter, led by Alex Maher with 11 points.

An Alice Lloyd jumper to open the second quarter cut the IU Southeast lead to one. The Grenadiers extended their lead to six on multiple occasions and held a 30-24 lead with less than four minutes left in the half.

Alice Lloyd went on a 5-0 run, cutting the Grenadier lead to 30-29. IU Southeast responded by scoring the last eight points of the half. The Grenadiers led 38-29 going into the break.

IU Southeast extended their lead to double digits on their first possession of the second half. Trailing 42-31, Alice Lloyd went on a 7-0 run to cut their deficit to four at 42-38. A three-point play by the Eagles cut the Grenadier lead to one at 44-43.

Back-to-back baskets gave the Grenadiers a five point lead, but Alice Lloyd hit a free throw and a three to make it 48-47 IU Southeast. Emmy Ralph hit a three for the Grenadiers, but Alice Lloyd answered with a long-range shot of their own to make it 51-50 IU Southeast headed into the fourth quarter.

Alice Lloyd tied the game at 52-52 early in the fourth quarter. The two teams traded baskets for several minutes, but IU Southeast rattled off back-to-back baskets to take a 62-58 lead.

The Eagles cut their deficit to two, but a three-point play by Sierra Graham gave IU Southeast a 65-60 advantage. Alice Lloyd, trailing 66-61, hit a three to cut the Grenadier lead to two. Alex Maher hit two free throws for IU Southeast, but another three by the Eagles narrowed the Grenadier lead to 68-67 with 1:37 left.

Leah Miller hit two free throws to give IU Southeast a 70-67 edge. Alice Lloyd missed a three and committed a foul, but the Grenadiers were unable to convert at the free throw line. The Eagles drew a foul and connected on both free throws to make it 70-69 IU Southeast.

Emmy Ralph hit a three with 17 seconds remaining to extend the Grenadier lead to four at 73-69. The Eagles responded with a three of their own to make it 73-72 IU Southeast with 11 seconds remaining.

The Grenadiers went to the line with a one-point lead with four seconds remaining, but two more missed free throws gave Alice Lloyd the ball. With one second remaining, Alice Lloyd's Makayla May drew a foul to give the Eagles a chance to take the lead. Both free throws were good, giving Alice Lloyd a 74-73 lead.

IU Southeast received one more possession, but the Grenadiers could not get a shot off. Alice Lloyd came from behind to defeat IU Southeast 74-73.

Emmy Ralph scored a Grenadier-high 20 points, dished out four assists and grabbed eight rebounds. Lauren Lambdin scored 16 points on 6-10 shooting in her final collegiate game. Alex Maher registered a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Sierra Graham also recorded a double-double, adding 11 points to go with 11 rebounds in her final college game.

IU Southeast finishes the season with an overall record of 19-10.