IUSB Escapes with Win at Viterbo
LA CROSSE, Wis. – IU South Bend never trailed on Wednesday evening, but the final minutes offered plenty of tension as the Titans held off a furious Viterbo comeback to secure a 78-72 conference win.
The Titans (10-5, 5-2 CCAC) appeared in full control after building a 22-point lead early in the third quarter, but the V-Hawks clawed their way back behind blistering outside shooting and a 29-point third quarter of their own. Viterbo battled all the way back to tie the game in the fourth before IU South Bend steadied itself at the free-throw line and got the defensive stops it needed to escape with the victory.
Sophomore guard Aubrie Booker was nearly unstoppable, pouring in 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting — including 8-of-13 from beyond the arc. She knocked down four threes in the second quarter alone and delivered another in the third as the Titans built their largest cushion of the day at 22. Booker also added eight rebounds and three steals in 39 minutes of action.
Senior guard Bradie Chambers was pivotal as well, posting 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals, while repeatedly settling the offense during Viterbo’s comeback push.
IU South Bend came out firing, hitting 52.9 percent of its shots in the first quarter and jumping to a 21-7 lead. Booker hit three early threes, and the defense held Viterbo to 23.1 percent shooting from the floor with seven turnovers.
IUSB continued to find success in the second quarter behind the hot hand of Booker, as the Titans boasted a 42-22 halftime lead.
A big double digit lead began to dwindle as the third quarter carried on. Viterbo found a late run to bring its deficit to single digits, scoring nine unanswered before ending the third down, 61-51.
The fourth stanza was all Viterbo at the start, as the V-Hawks made their move. The host squad tied the game in just three minutes, going on an 11-1 run.
Keylee Hudson responded with two clutch free throws to put IUSB back in front, and Chambers followed with a steal-and-score to extend the edge to four. The Titans went 8-10 at the free throw line the rest of the way to aid their winning effort on the night.
The Titans were tenacious on defense, forcing 18 Viterbo turnovers and scoring 22 points off the takeaways.
IU South Bend returns home on Saturday for its next contest, facing St. Francis at 1:00 pm.