CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio. - The Cougar women's basketball team came up short Saturday afternoon in a battle with the Trailblazers of Ohio Christian. 

Both teams struggled to score early in Saturday's River States Conference contest, as a pair of free throws from Cameryn Rector gave the Cougars their first lead of the game at 4-2 with 7:26 remaining in the opening quarter. The Trailblazers led 14-10 after 10 minutes.

The Cougars trailed 19-16 before five-straight points from Taylor HS products made it a 21-19 IUK lead. Emma Good knocked down a triple before Kelsi Langley followed that up with a bucket of her own.

IU Kokomo led by as many as five in the quarter but it was Ohio Christian who took a three-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

Trailing 35-32, IUK utilized another 5-0 spurt to regain the lead at 37-35. Just as they did in the previous two quarters, the Trailblazers took a minimal lead into the following quarter, this time a two-point 46-44 lead.

Ohio Christian opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run, extending the lead to 10 points at 54-44. The Cougars battled back to trim the lead to three but the Trailblazers held on for a 67-61 win over IU Kokomo.

Kelsi Langley led IU Kokomo offensively with 13 points, while Alaya Chapman recorded 12 and Olivia Dowden added 10. 

Both Emma Good and Anna Kiser scored nine points, while a trio of Cougars, including Dowden, Kiser, and guard Cameryn Rector pulled down eight rebounds apiece.

The Cougars will return to the court a week from today, as they will welcome Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College to the Student Activities & Events Center for a 1:00 PM tip-off.

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.