MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Grace's women's basketball team picked up its first Crossroads League victory of the year in style, blitzing Bethel 87-57 on the road on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (8-8, 1-3 CL) had a career-high 20 points from Darian Patton in one of the Grace's most complete performances of the season. Grace outrebounded Bethel by 20 and also held the Pilots to 31 percent shooting for the game.
The first six minutes of the game set the tone for Grace's rout. Grace jumped out to a 16-2 lead from the start thanks to seven points from Lindsey Schaefer. Bethel rallied to within six after connecting on a pair of 3-pointers, but the Pilots would not come closer for the rest of the contest.
Grace blew the game wide open with a 20-4 run. The Lady Lancers extended their lead from six to 22 after back-to-back buckets from Kelsie Peterson. After Peterson's second basket, Grace led Bethel 36-14 with 7:04 still to play in the half.
At halftime, Grace had doubled up Bethel 50-25 after making 19-of-33 from the floor (58 percent) and 10-of-10 from the foul line. The Pilots, on the other hand, made just nine field goals on 28 percent shooting in the opening period.
The Pilots (7-9, 1-3 CL) were never able to mount a comeback attempt in the second half. Bethel trailed by at least 20 points for the entire second half and were behind by as many as 33.
Grace head coach Scott Blum substituted liberally in the second half and played all 15 uninjured players. Eleven players scored in the game for Grace.
Darian Patton's career-best 20 points led all players on Saturday. She shot 6-for-13 from the floor, made two 3-pointers and tallied six assists and four rebounds.
Allison Kauffman was lethally efficient, totaling 17 points by making 5-of-6 from the floor, 1-of-1 from the 3-point line and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Lindsey Schaefer had the game's only double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Gabby Bryant made 4-of-7 field goals for 10 points. Chloe Pridgen tallied six points and five boards in 11 minutes of action.
For the game, Grace shot 50 percent compared to 31 percent for Bethel. Grace also made nine more free throws and 12 more field goals. Bethel was led in scoring by Chelsea Ward with 12 points.
The Lady Lancers kick off a four-game home stand on Wednesday when Spring Arbor visits the MOCC at 7 p.m. Grace will also host St. Francis on Jan. 10 in a women's and men's doubleheader at the MOCC.
