New Albany, IN: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles traveled to New Albany, Indiana on February 6 to face the dangerous Indiana University Southeast Lady Grenadiers in an important River States Conference West Division showdown between the top-two teams. The game was tough, but ALC led all four quarters to put away the hosts, 66-58.
In the first period, Alice Lloyd got 8 points from do-everything senior guard Kayla Wilson and displayed solid defense. The Lady Eagles led 15-9 after one quarter.
In the second quarter, IUS turned the tables. Over the first five minutes, they exploded on a 15-4 run to vault ahead 24-20. Late in the half, ALC received trifectas from freshman center Alexandria Clifton and Kayla Wilson to knot the contest at 30, then had the good fortune of seeing senior guard Miranda Wilson swish a buzzer-beating bomb to give the ladies from Caney Creek a 33-30 advantage at intermission.
The third period saw Alice Lloyd score the first four points to leap ahead 37-30, only to watch the determined hosts go on another run (14-2) and take their first lead of the second half and extend it to 44-39 with 5:47 remaining. Southeast now had all of the momentum on their side, and they seemed poised to gain a huge victory.
Fortunately for the visiting fans, Coach John Mills’ Lady Eagle squad was ready to demonstrate why they are the top seed in the division. Clifton would score 6 points and lead ALC on a 13-3 period closing blitz of their own. Her squad had suddenly recaptured the lead at 52-47 entering the final stanza.
In the last quarter, the visitors left no doubt as they limited Southeast to just three field goals in ten minutes and controlled the period. Like good clubs do, IUS did not go quietly, but they did not get within 5 points the final six minutes of play.
For the victors from Caney Creek (18-4; 12-3 RSC), Kayla Wilson led all scorers, and registered her fifth double-double of the season, with 17 points and 10 rebounds. She sank 6-9 field goals, 4-6 bombs, and hit her only free throw while adding 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Clifton was right behind with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. She drilled 7-13 attempts, including 2-5 bombs. Miranda Wilson added 10 points and game-highs of 4 assists and 3 steals. She added 1 block for good measure. Sophomore forward Jayla Spurlock also had 3 steals.
The victors shot 41.9% (26-62) from the floor and 39.1% (9-23) from long range. They added 10 assists, and 9 steals. With the victory, they ensure themselves the top-seed in the Western Division for the upcoming conference tournament.
Southeast (15-10; 7-7 RSC) was led on the night by forward Baylee Krueger with 17 points. Her squad shot 32.3% (20-62) from the field and 36.8% (7-19) from deep. They finished at 64.7% (11-17) from the charity stripe while adding 39 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals.
ALC returns to action on Thursday, February 8 when they travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to battle NCCAA foe Johnson University. They then return home on Saturday, February 10, for an important RSC conference showdown with Brescia University. Tipoff is set for 1:00 pm.