KOKOMO, Ind. – The Indiana University Kokomo women's basketball team dropped their final home game of the season Tuesday, losing to IU Southeast 73-64. The Cougars head into their final regular season contest with a 9-15 record, and 6-11 River States Conference mark.
 
Despite the celebration of senior night for IU Kokomo's four seniors: Jaela Meister, Sierra Peete, Tia Chambers, and Vanessa Mullins, the Cougars started slow and found themselves down 40-24 at halftime. IUK got within four points with a minute remaining, but the Grenadiers held on for a nine-point win.
 
The Cougars opened the scoring with a bucket from Gabrielle Joyner to take a 2-0 lead, but that would be the only IUK lead of the game. IU Southeast utilized a 6-0 spurt to take a 14-6 lead mid-way through the first quarter, but the Cougars responded with an 8-0 run of their own to knot the score at 14. The Grenadiers sank a pair of free throws before a long-range buzzer beating three from Emmy Ralph gave IU Southeast a 19-14 lead after one.
 
IU Kokomo managed to get within one point of IU Southeast with 4:53 remaining in the first half, but the Grenadiers ended the half on a 17-2 to take a commanding 40-24 halftime lead.
 
IU Southeast maintained a 14-point lead for a majority of the third quarter before the Cougars ended the quarter with buckets on back-to-back possessions to trim the lead to 53-42.
 
The Cougars struggled in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, allowing IU Southeast to build their lead back to 17 points, but then quickly showed signs of life. IUK went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 59-49 with six minutes to go. 
 
Trailing 65-54, IU Kokomo reeled off seven straight points to pull within four with 1:11 remaining. IU Southeast went on to outscore IU Kokomo 8-3 in the final minute to escape with a 73-64 win.
 
Anya Friend led the Cougars offensively with 20 points on seven of twelve shooting from the field. Tia Chambers recorded a double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds, a season-high for the senior. 
 
Gabrielle Joyner and Jaela Meister each scored nine while Sierra Peete had a team-high five assists.
 
IU Kokomo will hit the road for their final contest of the season Thursday evening at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 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.