NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The No. 19-ranked IU Southeast women's basketball team lost its home opener on Saturday 73-62 to No. 24 Grace College in a top-25 battle.

Both teams opened the game sluggish offensively before finding their range late in the first half. Grace led 37-34 at halftime. The Grenadiers shot 46 percent from the field in the first half and Grace shot 48 percent.

The second half was a struggle at both ends of the floor for IU Southeast. Grace forced timely turnovers to get easy baskets on the other end and they were able to get rebounds to limit the Grenadiers' possessions. IU Southeast committed 16 turnovers in the game. The Grenadiers shot just 33 percent in the second half and finished the game shooting 40 percent from the field.

IU Southeast (3-3) was in the bonus early in the second half so they were able to keep the game close. IU Southeast shot nine of fourteen from the line in the second half. Freshman Heather Wheat finished with 13 points to led the Grenadiers and junior Brooke Willoughby had 12 points off the bench. Juaneice Jackson led all scorers with 19 points for Grace College.

The Grenadiers remain at home for the next four games. They host Union College on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and Pikeville next Saturday at 2 p.m.