NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU Southeast women's basketball team led for nearly the entire game but ultimately fell to (RV) Cumberland 75-69 behind a fourth quarter rally by the Phoenix.
 
Cumberland led 1-0 for 30 seconds before a three gave IU Southeast a 3-1 lead. The Grenadiers did not trail for the remainder of the quarter as the Grenadiers led 15-10 after a quarter of play.
 
IU Southeast opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 23-10. Cumberland cut the Grenadier lead to five at 25-20, but IU Southeast rallied to extend their advantage to 38-25. IU Southeast led 38-30 at halftime.
 
IU Southeast scored five quick points to open the third quarter to take a 43-30 lead. Cumberland once again cut the lead to five at 48-43, but back-to-back threes gave the Grenadiers a 54-43 edge. IU Southeast extended their lead to 14 at 61-47 and led 61-51 at the end of three.
 
IU Southeast hit a three to open the fourth quarter to extend their advantage to 64-51. Cumberland then held IU Southeast scoreless for six minutes and used a massive 16-0 run to swing the lead in their favor at 67-64. IU Southeast cut the lead to one at 67-66, but Cumberland held on down the stretch to take the game 75-69.
 
IU Southeast was led by Linzie Wernert, who scored a career-high 29 points on 10-14 shooting, including going 7-9 from three. Grace Stapleton nearly had a triple double with 17 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Jesse Ledgerwood added 11 points, and Morgan Roberts scored nine off the bench.
 
"Proud of our fight," IU Southeast head coach Abby Downard said. "This was a great test for us and a great learning experience. We will watch this and grow and get back to work to prep for Saturday."
 
IU Southeast falls to 2-3 on the season. The Grenadiers travel to (RV) Georgetown on Saturday.