NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU Southeast women's basketball team withstood a late charge to defeat Midway University 81-74 on Saturday.
Appropriately on Senior Day, the Grenadiers were led by their seniors. Ariana Sandefur had 18 points, Hannah Coleman had 15 points and Madi Woods added 10, including her 1,000th career point, in the win. Freshman Emmy Ralph had 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Grenadiers (18-10, 9-6 RSC) led 23-17 at the end of the first quarter but two free throws by Maddie Knight and a basket by Hannah Coleman extended the lead to 10 points. Another field goal by Coleman extended the lead to 13 points later in the half before the Eagles cut the lead to eight.
Josie Woods capped off the first half by hitting a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to give the Grenadiers a 39-28 lead at halftime.
Midway (20-7, 8-6 RSC) cut the deficit to 45-39 before a quick 7-0 run gave the Grenadiers their largest lead of the contest. Ariana Sandefur hit a three-pointer, Natalie Fichter and Emmy Ralph scored on jumpers to get the lead back to a comfortable distance.
After the Eagles cut the lead back to six, Sandefur connected on a three-pointer from the volleyball line to give the Grenadiers a 57-48 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, the Eagles opened the period on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 59-57. Jill Enix capped the run with a steal and layup.
After an IU Southeast timeout used a 15-5 run to put the game away. Madi Woods and Sandefur sparked the run with a back-to-back three-point field goals.
Later in the quarter after Madi Woods was fouled, she went to the line and made one of two free throws to become the 28th 1,000 pointer scorer in Grenadier women's basketball history.
Ariana Sandefur hit two free-throws with 1:21 to play to increase the lead to 76-62 and that was enough to seal the win. The Eagles fought back but the lead was too much to overcome.
With the win, the Grenadiers can finish no worse than the No. 2 seed in the RSC West, and can clinch the division Tuesday night vs IU Kokomo at 5:30 p.m.
