SOUTH BEND, Ind.- The Indiana University South Bend Titans (10-1, 4-1 CCAC) were defeated by the reigning CCAC Tournament Champions St. Francis Saints (10-2, 6-1 CCAC) by a score of 72-70. Wednesday's loss is the first of the year for the Titans and the last loss for IU South Bend Women's Basketball since last year's one point loss to Indiana Wesleyan in the first round of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship, on March 11, 2022. 

The Titans were led by Tia Chambers who reached double-double status by scoring 22 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. Chambers erupted in the first quarter scoring 11 of her 22 points in the first 10 minutes of play. She finished shooting 10-17 from the field as well as 2-3 from the free throw line. 

Both Maddie Gard and Katie Gard finished three rebounds shy of a double-double. Maddie Gard finished with 14 points and seven rebounds while Katie Gard finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. 

Junior guard Jazmen Watts provided quality minutes and superb shooting off of the bench, knocking down 4-5 of her five shots from the field which all came from beyond the three point line to give her 12 points in the contest. 

St. Francis was led by 5'11 forward Jordan Pyle who finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 9-20 from the field and 4-7 from beyond the three point line. Pyle also finished with 5 assists, one block, and one steal while playing 39 of the 40 minutes in the game. 

IU South Bend led 35-33 going into halftime before being outscored by 11 points in the third quarter to give St. Francis a nine point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Titans outscored St. Francis by seven points in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell two points short of sending the game to overtime, losing their first game of the season 72-70. 

IU South Bend returns to action on Saturday, December 10th, when they travel to IU Northwest to take on the CCAC leading RedHawks at 2:00 PM in Gary, Ind.