UPLAND, Ind. - The IU Kokomo women's basketball team opened up the Trojan Classic with a 4:00 PM tip-off Tuesday against the hosts, Taylor University. The Trojans held off a fourth quarter charge from the Cougars inside Odle Arena to win 66-56.

IU Kokomo opened the game strong, forcing a pair of early Taylor turnovers and jumping out to a 4-0 lead thanks to points in the paint from Hannah Hodgen and Anna Kiser. The Cougars maintained a lead for the entirety of the first quarter, but the Trojans managed to trim a once seven-point deficit to two after one.

Lisa Pflueger's young squad struggled in the second quarter, shooting just 2-11 from the field while coughing up five turnovers. Taylor outscored IU Kokomo 24-8 in the period on their way to a 36-22 halftime lead.

The Trojans built their lead to as many as 18 with 6:12 to play in the third, but the Cougars had chipped away at the deficit to trail 48-34 heading into the fourth quarter.

Despite trailing by double-digits, IU Kokomo turned in a resilient effort to begin fourth quarter play. The Cougars scored the first eight points of the fourth in just 1:25, cutting what was once an 18-point Taylor lead to six with eight minutes remaining.

With the Trojans leading 50-42, Mackenzie York drove the lane and was fouled. She would knock down both at the line before a defensive stop and fast-break layup for Shamaria Walker pulled the Cougs within four, the closest they had been since the 4:53 mark in the second quarter.

IU Kokomo would pull within four once more with 3:09 to play, but Taylor scored 10 of the final 14 points to win 66-56. The Cougars will play their final game prior to the new year tomorrow at 4:00 PM, closing out the Trojan Classic with a neutral-site matchup against St. Ambrose (Iowa.).

Graduate student Anna Kiser led IU Kokomo statistically yet again Tuesday, scoring a team-high 16 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Fellow forward Mia Catey was dominant on the glass, pulling down a team-high eight boards in a match-up inside her native Grant County.

Kelsi Langley added 14 points and five rebounds in an important 20 minutes off the bench, as no other Cougar had more than six points. 

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.