money Wildcats rally to sideline IUSB women
The IU South Bend women's basketball team fell just short of making program history Friday night.
The Titans bid for a first-ever win in the NAIA National Tournament came up on the tough end of a 65-64 loss to host and No. 12 ranked Indiana Wesleyan in Marion.
IUSB, making its first national tourney appearance since 2005, led by as many as 13 points in the opening half.
The Titans, who are now 0-6 all-time in the championship tourney, led 63-58 with 3:05 to play on a layup by Katie Gard. The Wildcats, a No. 3 seed, cut the gap to 63-60 on a layup by Jordan Reid with 1:20 left. Reid then hit a jumper with 43 seconds to play to make it 63-62.
► IU South Bend: Makes first NAIA National Tournament appearance in 17 years
Maddie Gard, who finished with 13 points, hit 1-of-2 free throws to give the Titans a 64-62 lead with 26 seconds left. The Wildcats took the lead 65-64 with 16 seconds left as Maddie Lawrence converted a 3-point play with a rebound bucket and free throw. The Titans, after an IWU foul with 12 seconds left, turned the ball over on their final possession. IUSB had three turnovers in the final 1:23 of the contest.
The Titans, who finish at 25-8, led 21-14 after the opening period and 39-32 at halftime. IUSB still held to a 53-52 lead entering the final quarter, but were outscored 13-11 over the game's final 10 minutes.
Junior guards and sisters Maddie and Katie Gard led IU South Bend with 13 points apiece, including a combined 13-of-14 from the free throw line. Emma Fisher nearly recorded a double-double, with a career-high 12 rebounds along with eight points. Rachel Robards tallied 11 points with a pair of second-half three-pointers and a 4-of-7 night from the floor.
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Senior Sara Doi, a Penn High School product, had seven points for the Titans. Grad student Taitlyn Trenshaw, a NorthWood High School alum, had two points for IUSB.
Reid led IWU, which has beaten IUSB 16 straight times, with 18 points. Lawrence added 15 points for the Wildcats, who improved to 29-4.
Freshman Lilli Frasure, IWU's top scorer and rebounder, finished with just four points. The former North Judson High School star was 0-8 from the field, but did have five rebounds.
The Titans were a No. 14 seed in the 64-team field, while the Wildcats are a No. 3 seed.
The Titans shot 21-50 overall from the field, including 6-17 from 3-point land. They were 16-18 from the free throw line and had 20 turnovers.
The Wildcats finished 24-64 overall from the field, including 8-29 from distance. The hosts were 9-10 from the free throw line and had 17 turnovers.
IWU, which won NAIA Division II national titles in 2007 and 2013, advances to play Midway (Kentucky) Saturday at 4 p.m. with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: IUSB women's basketball team saw its season end in NAIA opener
