SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Titans' tournament debut got off to a tough start, but IU South Bend would rally back from a double-digit deficit, defeating IU Northwest 72-63 in the CCAC Tournament quarterfinal at the Student Activities Center on Tuesday night.

Trailing by as much as 11 points midway through the second half, the Titans (25-6) out-scored their opponents 48-31 in the second half to take the victory. Maddy Schumacher and Katie Gard led IUSB with 16 points apiece, while Sara Doi tallied 11 in the win.

Following a close opening stretch that saw five lead changes, the Redhawks (19-11) used a 9-0 run to claim an 17-8 lead at the 1:23 mark of the first quarter. Doi's free throws to end the period and Amaya Rufus' bucket to start the next one closed the gap to five, but three straight scores from IU Northwest stretched the visitors lead to 23-12 with 6:48 left in the first half.

Schumacher would score on back-to-back possessions, and three-pointers from Gard and Rachel Robards helped the Titans briefly tie the score at 24-24 with 2:36 remaining, but the Redhawks would take control again, scoring the final eight points before the break to go up 32-24.

A three-pointer right off the bat by Doi, and a score from Gard set the Titans on the right track to start the third quarter, and the home team would eventually reclaim the lead 42-41 on Schumacher's three at the 3:23 mark. IU Northwest would move back in front again, but a fast-break layup from Emma Fisher and another bucket from Maddie Gard made it a one-point game going into the fourth quarter.

Maddie Gard's two scores to start the fourth put IUSB back in front again, and a three from Courtney Haynes made it a 54-50 Titan lead with 7:50 to play. The visitors made one more push, going on a 7-2 run to take a 59-58 advantage, but a pivotal three from Robards started a run of ten straight for the Titans to secure the win.

The victory marks the second straight win in the quarterfinal round of the CCAC Tournament, and the first-ever postseason win over IU Northwest, who joined the conference three seasons ago. The Titans will now travel to the No. 2 seed, St. Francis for their semifinal matchup on Thursday night, February 24. Tipoff from Joliet is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.