SOUTH BEND --- The quest for another banner continues.

After grinding out a quarterfinal victory Tuesday night, the Indiana University South Bend women's basketball team will host No. 7 seed St. Ambrose on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. inside the Student Activities Center. A trip to the CCAC Championship Game is on the line.

THURSDAY NIGHT DETAILS

Date: Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Student Activities Center — South Bend, IN
Game: IUSB (No. 3) vs. St. Ambrose (No. 7)
Live Stream: https://rrsn.com/watch/
Live Stats: https://iusbtitans.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary

HOW WE GOT HERE

IUSB Quarterfinal Recap
No. 3 IUSB 71, No. 6 Viterbo 65

The Titans leaned on the starting five and timely shooting to advance past Viterbo, 71-65.

IU South Bend held Viterbo to just 35.5 percent shooting from the field and closed the game strong, outscoring the V-Hawks 24-20 in the fourth quarter.

Tenleigh Phelps led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds, knocking down four three-pointers. Kenzie Fulks added 17 points and five assists, going a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line. Aubrie Booker chipped in 14 including a clutch triple in the final minute, while Keylee Hudson contributed 12.

After a tight middle stretch that saw both teams score just 10 points in the third quarter, the Titans' composure and free throw shooting (88.2 percent for the game) proved decisive.

St. Ambrose Quarterfinal Recap
No. 7 St. Ambrose 68, No. 2 St. Francis 66

The Fighting Bees pulled off the biggest upset of the opening round in the tournament, knocking off second-seeded St. Francis on the road.

St. Ambrose shot 45.6 percent from the field and scored 25 points off turnovers to edge the hosts in a game that came down to the wire.

Abby Wolter poured in 21 points and was followed by Caitlyn Thole, who added 16 points and eight rebounds. St. Ambrose closed strong in the fourth quarter, shooting 60 percent in the final period to seal the upset.

SEASON SERIES: TITANS VS. BEES

November 15 — SAU 70, IUSB 69

The first meeting in South Bend was a nail-biter that slipped away late.

Tenleigh Phelps erupted for 28 points, Bradie Chambers added 17, but Thole delivered for the Bees with a three-pointer in the waning seconds, which was ultimately the difference in the one-point game.

January 24 — IUSB 65, SAU 53

The Titans earned a 12-point road win at Lee Lohman Arena in their second meeting. IU South Bend led for much of the contest and dominated the paint, outscoring St. Ambrose 28-20 inside.

Kenzie Fulks scored 17 points and Tenleigh Phelps grabbed 16 but it was the IUSB defense that bared its teeth, forcing 19 turnovers.

MATCHUP STORYLINES

Phelps vs. Wolter

Two CCAC Player of the Year candidates will battle it out on Thursday night. Phelps is coming off an 18-point quarterfinal performance and has already posted 28 against SAU this season. Wolter, meanwhile, is fresh off a 21-point outing in the upset of St. Francis.

Perimeter Defense

In the November matchup, St. Ambrose hit nine threes. The Titans limited SAU to just four three-pointers in the January win. Controlling the arc will again be critical.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

A win Thursday night would send IU South Bend back to the CCAC Championship Game — a stage the Titans reached and won in both 2023 and 2024.

A loss ends the season.

The Student Activities Center will be the backdrop for another postseason chapter — and the Titans will look to protect home court once more.

Semifinal basketball. Championship dreams.