The IUS women’s basketball team defeated rival Brescia University 64-51 on Feb. 10.

The game was held in Owensboro, Ky., at the Owensboro Sports Complex located just off of Brescia’s campus.

The match-up featured the top teams in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Grenadiers entered the game ranked No. 1, and the Bearcats were ranked No. 2.

In previous match-ups with the Grenadiers, the Bearcats were a tough opponent, but the game went south for Brescia immediately after the tip-off.

The Grenadiers had no problem getting shots, but the Bearcats couldn’t find their offensive rhythm.

The Bearcats struggled to score right out of the gate.

The Bearcats also had problems on defense because they couldn’t stop Whitney Duncan, senior guard.

Duncan’s speed created problems for the Bearcats.

Because Duncan was  quick getting to the basket, a couple of her shots took a spin off the rim and didn’t go in.

The Bearcats were down in the first half as the Grenadiers took a 32-14 lead at the break.

Although the Brescia fans tried to get their team energized in the first half through cheering, the Bearcats were still unable to get ahead in the game.

The score even surprised the Grenadiers, especially IUS head coach Robin Farris.

“I didn’t expect to be up 18 points at the half,” Farris said. “They just couldn’t score on us.”

In the second half, the Grenadiers continued to assert their dominance by disrupting Brescia’s offensive sets.

The Grenadiers stood their defensive ground and wouldn’t allow themselves to get beat around picks and screens.

Duncan frustrated Brittany Bird, Brescia senior point guard, so much that she didn’t even attempt another shot down the stretch.

In the past, Farris has called Bird an all-American type of player, but she was completely taken out of the game and her body language confirmed it.

Bird, who leads all scorers in the KIAC with 20 points per game, was held to 5 points.

Nicole Holman, senior guard, locked down Brescia’s other leading scorer Clarissa Houston, senior guard.

Holman, who is 5 inches shorter than Houston, was able to keep the Brescia player in front of her and keep a hand in her face at all times.

Houston averages 15 points per game and had 13 3-pointers in her last game but only managed 9 points against the Grenadiers.

Farris said he was pleased with his team’s defensive effort.

“I thought it was the best team defense of the year,” Farris said. “The key was not letting them get to the free-throw line by committing silly fouls.”

With Brescia’s offensive problems continuing, the Grenadiers’ lead grew to 22 points in the second half.

Whereas Duncan paced the Grenadier offense in the first half, the second half offensive spurt was led by Alden Krausse, senior forward, and Ashmere Woods, sophomore guard.

Krausse exploded in the paint for scores, while Woods was able to finish at the rim.

In the end, it was too much for the Bearcats to overcome.

Duncan was all-smiles after the game.

“I’m very satisfied with this win,” Duncan said. “That’s four times in a row that we beat them.”

By GARRETT
TAYLOR

Staff

gartaylo@imail.iu.edu