MISHAWAKA, Ind. - The IU Kokomo women's basketball team dropped Tuesday's game 74-62 to a tough Bethel University (Ind.) squad on their home court. The Cougars have one more road game later this week before next Thursday's home-opener against IU East.

Bethel scored on the opening possession of the game, but the Cougars responded with an Anna Kiser jumper to tie the game at two less than a minute in. 90 seconds later, a Kaylie Abriani deep-ball gave IU Kokomo their first lead of the game at 5-3.

IU Kokomo led 10-7 with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter, but Bethel closed the quarter on an 11-3 run to lead 18-13. 

Underclassmen Anya Friend and Lilly Maple scored 12 of the Cougars 15 second-quarter points. Friend scored five-straight points to tie the game at 20, and Maple scored the next seven points, tying the game at 27.

An Alaya Chapman free-throw gave IUK a 28-27 lead with 1:54 to go in the first half, but the Pilots closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 34-28 lead into the break.

IU Kokomo scored on consecutive possessions out of halftime to trim the Bethel lead to two points. The Pilots responded with five-straight points, but the Cougars quickly answered with six-consecutive points of their own to cut the lead to one at 39-38. Bethel lead by five heading into the fourth quarter.

A Shamaria Walker bucket in the paint pulled the Cougars within three early in the fourth quarter, but Bethel reeled off seven straight points to take a ten-point lead at 58-48. 

IUK got back within five, but Bethel maintained a lead and went on to win 74-62 over IU Kokomo.

Anya Friend led IUK offensively with 16 points. Kaylie Abriani was the Cougars other double-figure scorer with ten points.

Lilly Maple had a career-high nine points, with seven in the second quarter. Shamaria Walker had eight points, and Alaya Chapman had seven points and a team-high five rebounds.

The Cougars will close out their season-opening six game road trip Friday night at Taylor University. Tip-off is set for 7:00 P.M.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.