Defense Does It
SOUTH BEND – IU South Bend leaned on a gritty fourth-quarter defensive stand to close out a 74-71 home victory over Governors State on Saturday afternoon, improving to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in CCAC play.
The Titans led nearly the entire afternoon, but the Jaguars surged late, pulling within a single point in the final minutes. With 1:21 on the clock, IUSB held a 72-71 edge, before adding a free throw on the next possession. In the final stretch, the Titans held GSU to 0-3 from the field, while Kenzie Fulks nabbed a huge steal with 18 seconds to go.
Senior forward Tenleigh Phelps was a major catalyst, posting 23 points and six rebounds on 9-of-16 shooting, including a 5-for-6 performance at the line. Aubrie Booker added 16 points with four made threes, while Kenzie Fulks delivered a balanced effort with 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Keylee Hudson contributed eight points and seven rebounds, anchoring the perimeter defense throughout the afternoon.
Hot start builds early cushion
IU South Bend dominated the opening quarter, shooting 83.3 percent from the field and exploding to a 25-14 lead. Booker scored eight quick points in the frame — including a pair of threes — and Fulks knocked down her first three shots as the Titans seized control early. Phelps capped the quarter with a jumper in the final seconds to put IUSB up 11.
Governors State battled back behind standout guard Cencere McDaniel, who scored 27 points and caught fire in the second quarter. The Jaguars cut the lead to six by halftime, trailing 40-34.
Back-and-forth third quarter sets up tight finish
After halftime, both teams traded punches. IU South Bend rode a strong stretch from Phelps, who scored 10 points in the third, while Booker’s three pushed the advantage to 43-37 at the 9:16 mark.
But the Jaguars answered with their own run. McDaniel knocked down a three with 3:51 left to tie the game at 55-55, and although IUSB closed the period on an 11-3 push — capped by a Grant three with 0:04 remaining — the Titans entered the fourth holding a slim 66-58 lead.
Titans deliver defensive stand in crunch time
Governors State made one final charge. Back-to-back buckets from the visitors trimmed the lead to 70-67 with under four minutes remaining. After two Phelps free throws nudged the Titans ahead 72-69 at 2:21, the Jaguars pulled within one on a pair of free throws with 1:21 to play.
From there, IU South Bend dug in. The defense stayed strong, finishing with an exclamation point block from Aubrie Booker to deny the final game-tying attempt from GSU.
Stat Notes
IUSB held Governors State to 23.5 percent shooting in the fourth quarter after the Jaguars shot over 80 percent in the third.
The Titans scored 15 second-chance points and forced 12 turnovers while committing just 10 themselves.
The next scheduled contest for IU South Bend is set against IU East next Saturday on the road at 2:00 pm.