Just Short
SOUTH BEND – The IU South Bend women’s basketball team came within a possession of victory in its conference opener Saturday, falling 70-69 to St. Ambrose in a back-and-forth battle that featured 17 lead changes inside the Student Activities Center.
The Titans (2-3, 0-1 CCAC) trailed by as many as ten in the third quarter but stormed back behind a late surge from Tenleigh Phelps, who finished with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting with six rebounds and six made free throws. Bradie Chambers added 17 points and four assists, while Aubrie Booker chipped in 11 points, three steals, and a key fourth-quarter bucket that briefly gave IUSB the lead.
The first half set the tone for the game — defense-heavy, physical, and balanced. Phelps opened the scoring with a three, and the Titans traded baskets through a 13-9 opening quarter. By halftime, St. Ambrose held a narrow 29-25 edge.
Momentum shifted quickly after the break. IUSB connected for three-straight scoring plays to move in front 37-33 on a 6-0 run. The two teams traded turns with the lead but the Bees made the push at the end of the quarter. A 7-0 run to close the third put the visitors ahead with 10:00 minutes to play.
The Titans bounced back with seven minutes to go, looking to erase an eight-point deficit. Booker’s drive with 5:42 to play cut the deficit to 60-58, and Phelps’ and-one moments later tied the game at 63-63. From there, the two teams traded clutch shots, before SAU sank a three-pointer with just over thirty seconds to go.
IU South Bend wasn’t done. Sydney Jerrells hit a jumper on the next possession to bring the Titans within one, and after a pair of missed free throws from the Bees, the Titans had one last look. Phelps’ layup at the buzzer rimmed out, sealing the one-point defeat.
The comeback fight was led by Phelps, who posted 14 points in the fourth quarter alone. She nearly matched the whole output from the Bees in the stanza, going 4-5 from the field and 6-6 at the line.
Despite the loss, IUSB shot a strong 44.8% from the field and went a perfect 12-for-12 at the line, outscoring St. Ambrose 36-24 in the paint and forcing 19 turnovers for 26 points.
The Titans will be right back at home on Wednesday, hosting IU Northwest at 5:30 pm.