NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU Southeast women's basketball team defeated Simmons 90-82 on Tuesday behind 39 points from Jesse Ledgerwood, which set the IU Southeast women's basketball single game scoring record.
 
IU Southeast took a 13-7 lead early in the first quarter. A 9-0 run by the Grenadiers later in the quarter put them ahead 24-10. IU Southeast led 24-12 at the end of one.
 
Simmons used a massive second quarter to get back into the game. The Falcons outscored IU Southeast 28-20 to cut the Grenadier lead to 44-40 at the half.
 
IU Southeast opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run to take a 53-40 lead. The Grenadiers maintained a healthy lead and at the end of three led 70-59.
 
Simmons, as they did all game, continued to fight back. The Falcons cut their deficit to four at 83-79 with three minutes remaining, but IU Southeast would hold on for a 90-82 victory.
 
"I am so dang proud of our group," IU Southeast head coach Abby Downard said. "They came out and executed the game plan and played so hard. We competed and fought every possession and that's all I can ask of them. We had so many players step up and they played their roles exactly as we asked them to do. Great team win for us. We are going to celebrate this one tonight and then get right back to work."
 
IU Southeast was led in scoring by Jesse Ledgerwood with a career-high and program record 39 points on 13-24 shooting, including 6-13 from three. Grace Stapleton had 17 points and six assists. Linzie Wernert recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and she also added six steals. Samara Miller added 11 points off the bench, and Taylor Treat had a team-high seven assists.
 
This was also the first victory in the head coaching career of Abby Downard.
 
IU Southeast returns to action on Nov. 4 as they host Miami-Middletown.