KOKOMO, Ind. – Jesse Ledgerwood scored 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field but IU Southeast dropped a tight conference game to IU Kokomo 66-61 on Saturday.
 
A three-point field goal by Ledgerwood followed by two free-throws by Karly Sweeney put IU Southeast in front 18-14 with under two minutes left in the first quarter.
 
Jesse Ledgerwood had 11 of her 25 points in the first quarter for the Grenadiers and scored 11 of the first 18 points of the contest for IU Southeast.
 
But back-to-back three-pointers by Kristen Ridner and Shamaria Walker put the Cougars in front 24-19 with 6:30 left in the first half as the IU Southeast offense stalled.
 
A three-pointer by Lexi Starr and two Ledgerwood free-throws put IU Southeast back in front with 2:35 left in the half.
 
The game was tied at 31 at halftime.
 
An 8-0 run by the Cougars put them up 44-38 with two minutes to play in the quarter. Leah Miller hit a jump shot to cut the deficit to 46-42 at the end of the third quarter.
 
A pair of Karly Sweeney free-throws cut the lead to 48-46 but a three-point play by Alaya Chapman pushed the lead back to five for the Cougars.
 
The Grenadiers were able to stay within striking distance of the lead throughout the quarter but could not get the tying or go-ahead field goal to drop.
 
After Miller scored to cut the lead to 58-54 with 3:21 to play, IU Southeast got a defensive stop but could not grab the rebound which went out of bounds and gave the Cougars another possession.
 
After a foul, McKenzie Cooper hit two free-throws to extend the lead to 60-54.
 
A layup by Anna Kiser gave the Cougars a 62-55 lead with 2:27 to go and that proved to be enough for the win.
 
The Grenadiers travel to IU East Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.