By Andrew Snyder
Sports Information Intern

RICHMOND, Ind. – Four Goshen College women's basketball players scored in double digits, but hot shooting from Indiana University East got the job done as the Maple Leafs lost an 86-71 contest to the Red Wolves on the road Saturday afternoon.

IU East (3-0) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead thanks to Tia King, who would finish the first stanza with a team-high eight points. However, Kelsey Fraley had the response Goshen (2-2) needed when she scrambled for a steal near midcourt, then knocked down a corner 3-pointer on the ensuing possession. The rest of the quarter tended towards the Red Wolves, as they took a 15-11 lead into the first break.

The experienced guard combination of Sophie Sears and Lynnia Noel took over in the second quarter for the Maple Leafs, as the two combined for 19 of the team's 24 points in the second stanza. Goshen's biggest lead of the game came with 2:11 left in the half up by four, however IU East used a balanced attack to get seven different players in the scorebook throughout the quarter and the game went to halftime tied at 35.

The Red Wolves came out of the locker room ready to shoot in the third quarter, knocking down eight of their 14 three-pointers for the game en route to a 29-21 quarter and 64-56 advantage with only 10 minutes to play. Sydney Stein led Goshen with 12 points on five field goals and a pair of free throws in the third stanza.

The hot shooting continued on into the fourth for IU East, as they extended their lead out to a game-high 20 points with 3:08 left to play. Sears, Noel and Williams each tallied four points to lead Goshen in the final quarter, however it wasn't enough to catch the Red Wolves, who finished the game up 86-71.

The Maple Leafs shot 29-of-72 (40 percent) from the field, while IU East shot 30-of-66 (46 percent) from the floor. Goshen went 5-of-15 (33 percent) from deep while the Red Wolves finished 14-of-24 (58 percent) from downtown.

Sears finished with 19 points for the Maple Leafs, followed closely by Noel with 18 and Stein, who finished with 17 points and a rebound short of a double-double with nine boards. Williams also hit double-digit points with 10 while pulling down seven boards. Sears and Noel each dished out five assists for Goshen. King finished with 25 points to lead IU East.

"This game had a real tournament feel for most of the game," said head coach Stephanie Miller. "IU East was a tournament caliber team last year and returned all of their 2015-16 squad, so we knew it would be a very tough test and they proved to be a little too much for us this afternoon.

"We took major steps competitively today. For three quarters we were up to the challenge and answered their runs with runs of our own. The difference in the game was a stretch late in the third quarter and into the fourth where they got hot from 3-point range and we were so focused and not allowing them into the paint for easy shots, that they got away from us outside. We know more about who we are after this game and it will help us in the long run."

"That's one good team we played today," Miller continued. "I was proud of our effort, our toughness, and our grit on the glass. These things were missing in the first 3 games and I was pleased that we took a nice step forward in these areas today."

"I thought Sophia and Lynnia really had big time games for us," commented Miller. "They scored, dished out assists, took care of the ball, defended, and got on the glass. I also continue to be impressed by the grit and toughness of Sydney Stein coming in off the bench. She is taking big steps forward and I am happy to see her starting to feel more and more comfortable in our system."

"We didn't win this battle today, but it's early," Miller concluded. "If this is the way we dedicate ourselves to playing moving forward, we will make consistent progress and I like our chances."

Goshen now has three days off before returning to the hardwood for their home-opener when they host NCAA Division III opponent Earlham College from Gunden Gymnasium at 7 p.m. on Wednesday