RICHMOND, Ind. – The IU Southeast women's basketball team led by as many as 18 points in the second half and withstood a furious rally to defeat IU East 78-75 on Saturday.
 
" I am proud of our ability to finish the game on top," head coach Abby Downard said. "Everyone stepped up when their names were called down-the-stretch."
 
Grace Stapleton had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Linzie Wernert had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Jesse Ledgerwood had 16 points in the win.
 
IU Southeast opened the game on a 17-3 run. Grace Stapleton had nine of the first 17 points for IU Southeast.
 
The Red Wolves cut the lead to nine late in the quarter but IU Southeast led 24-13 at the end of the first quarter.
 
A three-pointer by Taylor Farris cut the deficit to 24-18 early in the second quarter but Skyler Mills answered with a three of her own.
 
Consecutive three-pointers by Morgan Roberts and Jesse Ledgerwood extended the lead to 14. IU Southeast led 41-30 at halftime.
 
After the Red Wolves cut the lead to 43-36 early in the third quarter, the Grenadiers pulled away again with a 13-2 run. Jesse Ledgerwood scored the final eight points of the rally.
 
The Grenadiers led 60-48 at the end of the third quarter.
 
In the fourth, the Red Wolves held the Grenadiers to just five points in the first 5:30 of the quarter and scored 16 of the first 23 points of period to cut the lead to 67-64.
 
Lexie Cole tied the game at 71 with 1:21 to play. After an IU Southeast turnover, Cole was fouled and hit both free-throws to put IU East in front.
 
Grace Stapleton answered with a go-ahead three-pointer with 42 seconds left. Taylor Farris missed a three on one end and Carley Higgins cleaned up missed layup and scored to make it 76-73 IU Southeast.
 
Grace Kramer scored on a layup to cut the lead to one but Addison Foley was fouled and hit two free-throws to seal the win.
 
IU Southeast hosts Brescia University Tuesday at 6 p.m.