UPLAND, Ind. - IU Southeast women's basketball came up short in their 2026-27 season opener, falling on the road at Taylor by a final score of 70-64.
The Grenadiers' defense got off to a great start in the first quarter, allowing just seven points after falling behind 5-0 early. Grace Stapleton scored the first points of the season after sinking a three-pointer with 4:22 left in the quarter. IU Southeast would go on to take an 11-7 lead after one quarter, led by Precious Anuka who accounted for eight of the Grenadiers' eleven first quarter points.
In the second quarter, Anuka put the Grenadiers ahead by five after a fast break layup. However, the Trojans would battle back and end the half on a 10-2 run and take a 23-20 lead to the locker room. IU Southeast held shooting 9-34 (26%) from the field in the first half.
The Grenadiers and the Trojans put up better offensive numbers in the third quarter, scoring 19 and 20 points, respectively. Taylor led for most of the third quarter, but never by more than five points. Trailing 33-28 with 6:09 left in the third, IU Southeast would go on a 11-5 run over the next five minutes to go up 39-38. Taylor retook the lead via a layup 33 seconds later, then hit a three to close out the quarter leading 43-39.
With 4:03 left in the game, Anuka hit a jump shot to put the Grenadiers up 53-52. Their lead lasted 15 seconds, as Taylor went down the court and scored on their next possession. Late in the game, the Trojans hit a free throw to go up 64-59 with 0:33 to go.
Morgan Roberts hit a three on IU Southeast's next possession to cut the lead to 64-62. After a foul by Skyler Mills, the Trojans went to the line and hit both free throws to go back up four. Stapleton would hit a pair of free throws to make it 66-64 but the Grenadiers would not get any closer and lost 70-64.
Precious Anuka and Stapleton led the Grenadiers in scoring with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Stapleton led the team with ten rebounds, followed by Ella Brown with nine and Anuka with seven.
IU Southeast is 0-1 following Friday's loss to Taylor. Next up for IU Southeast is their 2026-27 home opener. The Grenadiers will take on the No. 25 Spring Arbor Cougars at 6:00 p.m. at the IUS Activities Building.
