MARION, Ind. – IU South Bend had the NAIA on upset alert all night, but a late put-back bucket and free throw was just enough for 3rd-seeded Indiana Wesleyan to take a 65-64 win over the Titans, on their home court in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Opening Round on Friday night.

The Titans (25-8) led throughout most of the game, going up by as much as 13 points in the second quarter on Rachael Robards' three-pointer midway through the period. IUSB held a 39-32 advantage at the halftime break, and after the Wildcats (25-6) briefly took the lead late in the third, a buzzer beater from Amaya Rufus put the Titans back in front 53-52 going into the fourth quarter.

Maddie and Katie Gard led IU South Bend with 13 points apiece, including a combined 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Emma Fisher nearly recorded a double-double, with a career-high 12 rebounds along with eight points. Robards tallied 11 points with a pair of second-half three-pointers and a 4-for-7 night from the floor.

Courtney Haynes opened the game with a three-pointer, before Indiana Wesleyan hit a three of their own in response, and took a 5-3 lead with a pair of free throws at the 8:08 mark. Sara Doi's three started an 11-3 run for the Titans, taking a 14-8 lead on Taitlyn Trenshaw's bucket with 3:54 in the first quarter.

The Titans would lead until the mid-point of the third quarter, as Indiana Wesleyan opened the second half on a 12-4 run. Maddie and Katie Gard each recorded a field goal and a pair of points from the free throw line late in the third quarter, setting up Rufus' go-ahead shot as time expired.

Katie Gard hit a three to open the fourth quarter, giving IUSB a 56-52 advantage, but the Wildcats would hold IUSB to just two more field goals the rest of the way. The Titans still held on to the lead until an offensive rebound and put-back bucket with 16 seconds remaining tied the game. A foul call on the score gave IWU the go-ahead point at the free throw line, and the Titans' last-second attempt came up empty.

IU South Bend wraps up the season with a 25-8 overall record; the program's second straight full season with 25 victories.