Kentuckiana Times

Second Half Surge Sends Grenadiers Past SMWC 77-74

A Leah Miller jumper with 36 seconds remaining helped the IU Southeast women's basketball team come back to defeat St. Mary-of-the-Woods 77-74 on Tuesday.

SMWC started the game fast, scoring 11 points in less than two minutes to take an 11-0 lead. IU Southeast cut the lead to single digits on several occasions, but SMWC answered back every time. The Pomeroys led 29-17 after one quarter.

Both teams struggled to score to open the second quarter. SMWC took a 33-18 lead before a Lauren Lambdin layup cut the lead to 13. The Pomeroys hit back-to-back threes to extend their lead to 19 at 39-20.

IU Southeast used five straight points to cut the SMWC lead to 14. After the two teams traded baskets, the Pomeroys took a 43-29 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw the Grenadiers cut the lead to 45-36 two minutes into the second half. The lead fluctuated from 9 to 12 points on several occasions, but an Emmy Ralph layup saw the Grenadiers pull within seven at 52-45.

A Lauren Lambdin layup followed by a Sierra Graham three brought IU Southeast within two at 56-54. SMWC hit two layups in the final minute of the third quarter to take a 60-55 lead into the fourth.

Lauren Lambdin hit two free throws just seconds into the fourth quarter to cut the SMWC lead to three, but the Pomeroys answered with a three to extend their lead back to six. A SMWC layup followed by a free throw extended the SMWC lead back to nine at 68-59.

IU Southeast used their defense to elevate their offense in the fourth, holding SMWC scoreless for nearly four minutes which allowed the Grenadiers to come back and tie the game 68-68. With the game tied 70-70, the Pomeroys used back-to-back layups to give SMWC a 74-70 lead.

An Emmy Ralph three brought the Grenadiers back within one at 74-73. After empty trips by both teams, Leah Miller hit a turnaround jumper in the paint to give IU Southeast their first lead of the game with 36 seconds remaining.

The ensuing SMWC possession was ended by an offensive foul. The Pomeroys were forced to foul, and Sierra Graham stepped up and hit both free throws, giving IU Southeast a 77-74 lead.

The Pomeroys had a chance to tie, but IU Southeast forced a tough layup attempt to secure another comeback victory. IU Southeast, who only led for 36 seconds, defeated SMWC by a final score of 77-74.

Reigning RSC Player of the Week Emmy Ralph led the Grenadiers with 26 points on an efficient 9-13 shooting. Lauren Lambdin played through a rolled ankle to score 15 points and block two shots. Sierra Graham scored 13 points in the contest, going a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Leah Miller scored 10 points, including hitting the game winning shot. Alex Maher scored nine points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

The Grenadiers outscored SMWC 48-31 in the second half and 22-14 in the fourth quarter. IU Southeast shot 50.9 percent from the field and hit 18 of their 21 free throw attempts. The team forced 17 SMWC turnovers, leading to 15 points for the Grenadiers.

IU Southeast moves to 16-8 overall and 9-6 in RSC play. The Grenadiers return home to host IU Kokomo on Saturday.

Original source can be found here.