Box Score WYOMING, Mich. – In what can only be described as a dominant performance, IU Columbus secured its second-ever win in program history, defeating Grace Christian 76-55 at the Aldrich Athletic Center, Saturday afternoon. The victory, fueled by balanced scoring and stifling defense, showcased the growing strength of the team as they continue to build momentum early in the season.
From the opening tip, IU Columbus set the tone, surging to a 22-8 lead after the first quarter. Despite a spirited second-half comeback attempt by Grace Christian, the home team never relinquished control, led by stellar performances from Amaya Collins and Gwen Higdon, who combined for 37 points.
The team came out of the gates on fire, shooting an impressive 46.7% from the field in the first quarter. Collins was especially impactful, scoring 8 points in the opening frame and leading the charge from beyond the arc with two early three-pointers. The defense was equally suffocating, limiting Grace Christian to just 1-for-11 shooting from the field in the opening period.
The Crimson Pride maintained its advantage in the second quarter, extending the lead to 40-21 by halftime. Though Grace Christian showed more life in the third, outscoring the visitors 23-17, IU Columbus responded with key contributions from their starting lineup. Abby Fleetwood, who led the team with 11 rebounds, helped anchor the defense while also chipping in 12 points and 7 assists. Meanwhile, Higdon's 15 points kept the offense flowing smoothly.
One of the standout moments in the game came from the charity stripe, where IU Columbus was perfect, hitting all 10 of their free throws. This efficiency, combined with a 46.2% shooting rate from three-point range, underscored how well the team was executing in all facets of the game.
Despite Grace Christian's strong third quarter, IU Columbus' depth proved to be too much. The bench made solid contributions, with sophomore Lily Campbell scoring 13 points and pulling in 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. The team's overall rebounding dominance (29 to 26) and ability to turn defense into offense (20 points off turnovers) ensured that they would never be in serious danger of losing the lead.
The victory marked a milestone in the program's history, as the Crimson Pride moves to 2-7 on the season. The win, which came on the road, demonstrated the team's growth and potential. Though Grace Christian made some noise in the third quarter, IU Columbus never let the game get out of hand, closing it out with a 19-11 edge in the fourth.
IU Columbus will look to build on this victory as they continue their season. The team has a handful of contests left before they get into the thick of their conference schedule, two games being against Division I programs and aired on ESPN+. The Crimson Pride return to action Tuesday (Dec. 10) against IU South Bend. Tip-off is set for 5:30pm.
