WILMORE, Ky. – Natalie Fichter led IU Southeast with a career-high 29 points and 13 rebounds, and had the game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime, as IU Southeast defeated Asbury 83-78 on Saturday.
The Grenadiers (16-10, 7-6 RSC) fell behind 22-9 before Emmy Ralph capped off a 13-0 run with a layup to the tie game in the second quarter. Natalie Fichter and Maddie Knight combined to score 14 of the Grenadiers' 25 points in the second quarter to get them back in the contest.
IU Southeast trailed 36-32 at halftime.
Emmy Ralph tied the game at 47 when she connected on a jumper with under four minutes to play in the third quarter. Two free throws by Knight and a basket by Ralph gave the Grenadiers a four-point lead late in the period and IU Southeast would take a 51-49 lead to the fourth quarter.
Madi Woods hit a three-pointer to give the Grenadiers their largest lead of the contest at 62-56 with 5:51 to play in regulation but the Eagles stormed back to tie the game at 65.
Natalie Fichter hit two three throws to take the lead back 69-67, but a jumper by Zaria Napier and a three-point play by Autumn Herriford gave the Eagles a three-point lead with 35 seconds left.
Maddie Knight scored to cut the deficit to 72-71 with eight seconds left and Herriford was fouled and hit two free throws with six seconds left.
After Ralph got the inbounds pass she found Fichter on the left wing. She turned and hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Grenadiers jumped out to a quick lead when Fichter stole the pass and scored on the ensuing fast break.
Maddie Knight hit both free throws to extend the lead to 78-74, but the Eagles came back to tie the game for the 11th time.
Natalie Fichter hit both free throws to give the Grenadiers the lead with 1:30 to play. The Grenadiers got back-to-back defensive stops and Emmy Ralph got a rebound and was fouled.
She hit both three throws with nine seconds left to seal the win.
The Grenadiers were 17-of-19 from the free-throw line in the second half and overtime which was the difference in the contest.
Fichter led IU Southeast with 29 points and 13 rebounds and four steals, Maddie Knight had 22 points and nine rebounds off of the bench. Emmy Ralph had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The Grenadiers limited the Asbury offensive attack especially on the perimeter, holding the Eagles to 27 percent shooting from behind-the-arc.
IU Southeast travels to Brescia University Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
