SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Maddie Gard's layup with 12 seconds left gave IU South Bend the lead over No. 20 Saint Xavier on Friday afternoon, but the Titans were unable to hold on in a 79-76 home loss at the Student Activities Center.
With IUSB leading 76-75 in the closing seconds, a pair of free throws converted by the Cougars (15-5, 13-1 CCAC) put the visitors back in front, in a game that saw a combined 12 lead changes throughout. The Titans (15-6, 8-5 CCAC) were unable to get a clean shot off in the final moments, snapping a streak of five wins over the past six games.
Gard finished with a game-high 23 points, along with five rebounds and three assists on the day. Emma Fisher posted a career-high, scoring 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and eight boards. Katie Gard, who led the Titans in scoring for the earlier meeting with Saint Xavier, tallied 17 points, and Rachael Robards came off the bench for 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting.
A slow start for the Titans allowed Saint Xavier to build a nine-point lead, 16-7 by the 5:29 mark of the first quarter. A 10-2 run in response, all coming from Maddie Gard and Robards, closed the gap as Katie Gard's free throws briefly put IUSB on top in the final minute of the opening period. The Cougars answered with two quick scores to reclaim a three-point advantage by the end of the first, 25-22.
A total team effort to start the second saw IU South Bend open on an 11-0 run – with five field goals coming from five different players – as IUSB went up 33-25 at the 6:12 mark. Both sides would go quiet over the final three minutes of the first half, with Amaya Rufus' layup the only field goal during that stretch. IUSB would take a 40-35 lead into the locker room, with Katie Gard's 11 first-half points leading the way.
IUSB would lead throughout the third quarter, with Saint Xavier cutting the lead to one before a 9-3 run capped by a Katie Gard fast-break layup stretched the lead back to 53-46. The Titans would remain in front until midway through the fourth quarter, as the Cougars took a one-point lead with 5:54 to play. A total of five lead changes over the final six minutes included a quick steal and layup from Maddie Gard with under 20 seconds to play, then a pair of missed three throws and another Gard score to give IUSB the 76-75 advantage.
A late foul gave the Cougars a pair of go-ahead free throws, then another trip to the line with two seconds remaining would result in the final score.
The Titans will look to bounce back on Monday night, January 31, when they host Trinity Christian at the Student Activities Center. Tipoff with the Trolls is set for 5:30 p.m.
