IUC Women's Basketball Team Reaches Conference Tournament Despite Adversity

The Crimson Pride overcame coaching changes and roster challenges to earn a playoff berth in just their second season.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The IU Columbus women's basketball team has endured a tumultuous season, including a mid-year coaching change and a small roster of just seven available players for most games. Despite the adversity, the Crimson Pride finished fourth in their conference division and earned a spot in the River States Conference Tournament, where they will face the top-seeded Rio Grande Red Storm.

Why it matters

Making the conference tournament is a major milestone for the young IUC women's basketball program, which is only in its second season. Reaching the playoffs will help build momentum for the program and aid in recruiting efforts to expand the roster size for next season.

The details

The Crimson Pride underwent a coaching change about a month before the season, then another about a month into the season. James Adams, who had been the IUC men's coach, took over the women's team and has led them to the postseason despite having only seven available players for most games due to other players leaving the team or playing other sports.

  • The Crimson Pride will visit Rio Grande in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
  • IUC finished the regular season with a 5-23 record and 3-13 in conference play.
  • Rio Grande won the East Division with a 27-1 overall record and 16-0 in conference.

The players

James Adams

The IUC men's coach who switched over to lead the women's program midway through the season.

Abby Fleetwood

The junior from Indian Creek who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.

Amaya Collins

The sophomore point guard from Frankton who averages 16.0 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

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What they’re saying

“I think they handled it very well. We have a really good group of kids. These student-athletes just embraced everything that I implemented. They embraced the culture that I'm trying to build. They wanted to be able to be pushed, and they wanted to excel. We have some competitors on this team. These young ladies wanted to compete, and they wanted to be successful. I just think it was a blessing for me to be able to develop that partnership.”

— James Adams, IUC Women's Basketball Coach (therepublic.com)

“Just being considered in the top eight is a blessing, especially with the adversity they had to deal with during the early portions of the season. They still dealt with a lot of adversity, as far as numbers-wise. The disadvantage with only having seven student-athletes, every team in our conference is loaded with 10-15 girls that can practice on a daily basis. Going into games, all I'm doing is implementation of what I want them to do. We're never able to get any reps against a scout team or a second team where the girls can really understand what we're trying to lock in and focus on.”

— James Adams, IUC Women's Basketball Coach (therepublic.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.