COLUMBUS, Ind. – In their season finale at Circle K Fieldhouse, the IU Columbus women's basketball team fought hard but fell short against IU Southeast, 84-52. Despite the loss, the Crimson Pride displayed unwavering determination throughout the season, leaving a strong foundation for the future of the program.

From the opening tip, IU Southeast asserted control of the game, quickly establishing a 17-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. IU Columbus struggled to find offensive rhythm, while the Grenadiers capitalized on the Crimson Pride's defensive lapses, building a 38-23 lead at halftime.

The second half saw IU Southeast continue their efficient play, outscoring IU Columbus 28-15 in the third quarter. Despite the Crimson Pride's best efforts to battle back, IU Southeast's dominance on both ends of the floor proved too much to overcome. IU Columbus entered the final quarter trailing by 28 points, and though they continued to fight hard, IU Southeast sealed the win with an 84-52 victory.

Abby Fleetwood led the way on both sides of the ball, finishing with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Amaya Collins complimented Fleetwood's performance with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Tatum McFarland added 8 points off the bench, showing strong effort in her 22 minutes of play, and Isyss Donelson chipped in 6 points and 3 assists. 

Despite the loss, the Crimson Pride were able to build momentum in some key stretches, especially from Fleetwood and Collins, whose efforts helped keep the team competitive throughout the contest.

Athletic Director Zach McClellan was proud of the team's growth and resilience throughout the season, even in the face of adversity. "Our women's basketball team faced adversity and showed up every game and every day with the intent of getting better. We believe we have a solid foundation to build toward a promising future here in Columbus," he said after the game.

In addition to the women's basketball team, McClellan acknowledged the efforts of IU Columbus' other athletic programs. "Pati Lara and the cheer and dance teams at IU Columbus are the most improved teams on campus. We look forward to seeing them in the spring sports," he added.

As the women's basketball program closes the door on their first season, the team has shown tremendous growth and resilience. The hard-fought battles and valuable lessons learned this year will serve as a launching point for future seasons. IU Columbus is building something special, and with a solid foundation in place, the future looks bright.

#RollPride