Smith, Griffin Help Red Wolves Earn First Win of the Season

Bourbonnais, Ill. – Davina Smith scored a team-high 23 points and the IU East women's basketball team held off Olivet Nazarene to earn their first win of the season.

The Red Wolves improved to 1-1 in the early season.

IU East started off the game well going on a 9-0 run in the first three minutes of the opening quarter. Alli Vaughn started the scoring off a pass from Taylor Farris. Kennedy Griffin's layup made it 4-0 before Farris hit a triple 40 seconds later. Griffin converted on her layup attempt for the 9-0 lead that caused a timeout from the Tigers.

The Red Wolves led for most of the first half. Olivet Nazarene gained their first lead at 32-31 with 1:54 remaining in the half. Griffin took a pass from Vaughn and was able to hit a 3-pointer to regain the lead. Tia Tolbert added a layup with six seconds left to give IU East a 36-32 halftime lead.

The Red Wolves were able to come out of the halftime break hot with a 7-2 run for a 43-34 advantage. The Tigers were able to claw themselves back in and cut the deficit down to two multiple times.

In the fourth quarter, the Tigers were able to tie the game late, with 1:10 remaining. Smith's layup with 48 seconds left gave the Red Wolves a 75-73 lead. With 35 seconds left, the Tigers went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to cut the deficit to one. Archey converted on her and-1 play to increase the lead to four and she added a pair of free throws with six seconds left to seal the win for the Red Wolves and the first collegiate head win for coach Alexa Welborn.

Griffin scored 18 points with five rebounds. Farris was also in double figures with 14 points. She added eight rebounds and seven assists.

The Red Wolves are on the road again on Saturday as they travel to the University of Northwestern Ohio. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.