No. 17 Rio Grande Topples Red Wolves

RICHMOND, Ind. – The IU East women's basketball team was looking to snap a 4-game skid and upset No. 17 Rio Grande on Saturday.

After a 21-21 first quarter, the RedStorm outscored the Red Wolves 50-31 in the second and third quarters to pull away for a 92-76 win.

Davina Smith scored a team-high 16 points while grabbing four rebounds. Taylor Farris was a rebound shy of a double-double as she scored 12. Kennedy Griffin added 14 points and five rebounds.

The Red Wolves had a strong opening two minutes. Caitlin McEldowney stole the ball from the RedStorm's opening possession. That later turned into a layup from Smith for the 2-0 lead. Smith added another layup a minute later and Gracie Kramer's triple gave the Red Wolves a 7-2 lead two minutes into the game.

Smith added another layup that caused Rio Grande to call a timeout. The RedStorm grabbed their first lead of the game with 5:15 to go in the first. IU East regained the lead after Kramer hit a 3-pointer. Tia Tolbert added a pair of free throws thirty seconds later to give the Red Wolves a 16-12 lead.

Rio Grande was able to end the quarter on a 9-5 run to tie it 21-21.

In the second, Farris converted her and-1 attempt to give the Red Wolves a 24-23 lead. Rio Grande would go on an 8-0 run. They would head into the halftime break up eight.

Tides turned in the third quarter as Rio Grande was able to extend their lead, outscoring the Red Wolves 28-17 to end the third period up 71-52. IU East was able to outscore the RedStorm in the fourth, 24-21, but it was a little too late.

The Red Wolves shot 39 percent from the field, while shooting 9-of-25 from beyond the arc. They will travel to IU Southeast on Tuesday.