Elgin, Ill. – After being tied at 15 in the first half, Indiana-South Bend (18-10) went on an 11-2 run for a nine-point lead as they never gave up the lead again to Judson University (11-16). IUSB’s three-point shooting was also a difference in the game as they made nine.
For the fifth game in a row Alicia Rovertoni led Judson in scoring with 17 along with recording her ninth double-double of the year grabbing 11 rebounds. Kelly Friestad added 14 while Kirstin Johns had 12. Niki McDonald made seven three-pointers for IUSB for 21 points.
Battling in the first four minutes of the game, Judson had a two-point lead, 7-5, when IUSB’s Jen VanderZanden tied the game at seven. That jumper started a 10-0 run for IUSB as they took an eight-point lead, 15-7 with 12:43 left in the half.
Judson responded with their own 8-0 run over two and half minutes with points made by Friestad, Rovertoni, Devonaye Henderson, and Crystal Goodall. Goodall’s shot with 10:15 remaining tied the game at 15. JU’s run sparked IUSB, again, as the Titans had another run (11-2) to claim a nine-point lead, 26-17.
As the clock read 6:43 and IUSB had another nine-point lead (28-19), Judson reeled off seven straight points in just two minutes to climb back into the game within two, 28-26. Rovertoni completed a three-point play to put JU back in the thick of things.
Over the next three minutes, Judson missed four jumpers and IUSB scored eight straight points to extend their lead to 10, 36-26. Judson never recovered as IUSB took a 13-point lead into the half, 41-28.
Judson cut the lead to nine, twice, in the first two minutes of the second half on buckets by Rovertoni and Theresa Larson. Judson kept battling but could not get through IUSB’s defense. With 16:50 left in the game, JU was only down 10, 46-36, when IUSB started a long run. In the next six minutes, IUSB out scored Judson, 17-6, to take a 21-point lead, 63-42. Judson could not overcome the large lead as the Titans claimed the 84-65 win.
The big difference in the game was IUSB’s strong three-point shooting as they made 52% (9-of-17). They also made 52% of their shots from the floor and made 21-of-28 free throws. Judson only went to the free throw line 10 times and made nine. Overall, Judson shot 41% from the floor but only made 26% from three-point range. IUSB also out rebounded Judson, 36-27. Judson did force 22 turnovers and had 14 steals.
