Grace WBB catch fire from deep in win over Cougars
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace College’s women’s basketball team went redhot from beyond the arc in Wednesday’s 67-61 win over St. Francis.
Freshman Morganne Houk had a career night shooting 66 percent from the floor and a perfect 5-5 from beyond the arc. She was tied for a game high with 18 points.
The win moves Grace (9-8, 4-3 Crossroads League) into fourth place in the Crossroads League and a game and a half behind Spring Arbor.
Grace’s first two possessions of the game would be a sign of things to come as both Houk and Maddie Ryman converted 3-point field goals to give the Lancers an early lead.
By the midpoint of the first quarter the Cougars had pulled ahead 13-10 but Grace closed the final 3:50 of the frame 14-2 run. Five different Lancers scored during the run which gave Grace a 24-15 advantage entering the second quarter.
In the second frame the Cougars offense could do no wrong as they connected 82 percent of their shots. USF had just three empty possessions in the quarter as they outscored Grace by 10 and inched ahead 35-34 heading into the halftime break.
At the halftime break Grace was out shot 60 percent to 46 percent. Both teams valued possession and had just three turnovers apiece.
As the second half got underway, Grace quickly took back control. Ryman hit an early jumper to push Grace ahead and two possessions later she hit a 3-point shot to push the advantage to four points.
The Lancers’ lead ballooned over the middle portion of the quarter as Grace hit five straight 3-point shots from four different players.
Kensie Ryman continued Grace’s hot streak from deep as she hit a late corner three to add to the Lancers lead. Grace led 58-43 entering the final frame.
USF and Grace traded 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter. The Cougars slowly started to claw back and with 2:40 left in the game had pulled back within seven points.
The Lancers would slam the door on any comeback hopes however as they forced USF to just 1-6 shooting to close the game as Grace secured the 67-61 win.
“Like every Crossroads League win, this is a win to be proud of,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “These ladies showed that they could win in a different way tonight. Credit to the Cougars for finding success against our defense, but proud of how our team responded. We made some shots and showed the depth needed to be a successful team.”
Grace finished the game shooting 47 percent from the field and 65 percent from beyond the arc. The Lancers were narrowly out rebounded 31-27. The teams were even in the paint with both scoring 24 points.
Ryman and Houk were tied for a game high 18 points and combined to go 9-10 from beyond the arc.
Peyton Murphy had another impressive stat line scoring 13 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 3 steals and a block, Patton led Grace with seven assists. The Lancers will travel to Ohio on Saturday for a showdown with Mt. Vernon.