Bloomington Leader

Grenadiers Hold Off Late Rally to Defeat IU East 85-80

IU East scored the first basket of the game, but IU Southeast scored the next nine to jump in front 9-2. Back-to-back IU East layups cut the deficit to 9-6, but the Grenadiers answered with two layups of their own to make it 13-6. The Red Wolves cut it to three once again at 17-14, but the Grenadiers ended the first quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 22-14 advantage.

 A Leah Miller jumper to open the second quarter gave IU Southeast a 24-14 lead. Later in the quarter, the Grenadiers held a 31-22 lead following a layup by IU East. IU Southeast used a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to extend their lead to 18 at 40-22. The Grenadiers held a 44-26 lead at halftime.

 IU East opened the third quarter with eight straight points to narrow the IU Southeast lead to 44-34. The Grenadiers held a 48-38 lead before back-to-back threes by Emmy Ralph extended the advantage to 54-38. IU East was able to narrow the deficit to 11 at 60-49, but another Emmy Ralph three extended the Grenadier lead to 63-49 after three quarters.

 IU Southeast extended their lead to 17 following yet another three by Emmy Ralph to open the fourth quarter. IU East answered with a three-point play, but a Brynna Blackburn three extended the Grenadier lead back to 17 at 69-52. The Red Wolves scored 12 of the game's next 16 points to cut the IU Southeast lead to nine at 73-64.

 IU Southeast took an 11-point lead at 76-64, but IU East hit three straight three-pointers to cut the deficit to one possession at 76-73 with 1:13 remaining. A Lauren Lambdin layup gave IU Southeast a 78-73 lead with 59 seconds left in the contest.

 IU East hit two free throws with 39 seconds left to cut the IU Southeast lead back to three to 78-75. Following an IU East foul, Emmy Ralph connected on both free throws to give the Grenadiers a five-point lead. The Red Wolves missed two threes, and IU Southeast secured an 80-75 victory.

 All eight Grenadiers that logged minutes scored in the contest, including four in double figures. Emmy Ralph led IU Southeast with 26 points, 20 of which came in the second half. Lauren Lambdin added 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. Sierra Graham filled the stat sheet, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks. Leah Miller scored 10 points, and Alex Maher scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.

 IU Southeast will enter 2023 with a record of 10-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Grenadiers return to action January 5th at Carlow.

Original source can be found here.