Box Score The IU Columbus women's basketball team played Grace College on Tuesday night in their home opener at Circle K Fieldhouse. The Lancers came in with a deep, experienced roster with an abundance of size. Grace head coach Dan Davis used his full travel roster by substituting five players at a time every couple minutes and pressuring full court the entire game. Crimson Pride head coach James Adams was eager to see how his young team would perform against a quality opponent, and this game was certain to provide that opportunity.  

The game started off with freshman Denell Jacobs nailing a pair of 3-pointers as the Crimson Pride took an early 7-0 lead. The Lancers turned up the heat defensively and began finding some easy baskets inside along with a pair of 3-pointers to take a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Crimson Pride cut the lead to four at 21-17 behind baskets by Aubri Ibgram, Makayla Hurley and Jacobs. The Lancers responded by getting to the free throw line for six points, and two more 3-pointers to up the lead to 36-27. With just seconds remaining in the half, the Lancers forced a turnover that led to layup by Maddy Poynter at the buzzer for a 38-27 halftime lead.

Crimson Pride freshman Aniyah Anthony got the offense going to start the second with a pair of quick baskets to cut the lead to seven. The Lancers came back with eight straight points on a layup by Emma Sperry and 3-pointers by Sperry and Allyson Rideout. Anthony kept the home team in the game as she scored 10 of the 12 Crimson Pride third quarter points, but they still trailed 52-39 going into the final quarter.

Coach Adams had his team press full court to start the fourth quarter. A Ka'Dence Bland basket started a surge by IU Columbus. Anthony drilled a 3-pointer, and a steal led to a 3-point play by Jacobs. Steals led to layups by Anthony and Jacobs to cut the lead to one at 54-53. Grace answered with a Sperry layup and another 3-pointer by Rideout to move the lead back up to six. Jacobs added four more points on a layup and two free throws, but the Lancers finally began to break the pressure for some easy baskets to stave off the Crimson Pride rally.

Grace had three players in double figures, led by Sperry with 19, Rideout 14 and Poynter chipped in 11. The Lancers also made nine 3-pointers to complement their inside play.

Jacobs led the Crimson Pride attack with 24 points, and Anthony scored 20 in her first home game.

Next on the schedule: The Crimson Pride will host Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Thursday, November 5th at Circle K Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 6:00 pm.