WINONA LAKE, Ind. – After a slow start, Grace's women's basketball team held on late for a 63-57 win over Goshen on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (9-9, 4-2 Crossroads League) overcame a slow start thanks to a tenacious defense. Grace held Goshen, an NAIA national semifinalist last year, to 37 percent shooting for the game.
Grace spread the wealth, producing 17 assists on 23 made field goals for the team's most assists in eight games.
In the first quarter, Grace struggled with sloppy play. The Lady Lancers, playing their first home game in over a month, committed eight turnovers in the first four minutes.
Despite a poor offensive output, Grace's defense kept the score close. The Maple Leafs (9-9, 3-3 CL) struggled to shoot 33 percent in the quarter and only led 18-16 after 10 minutes.
Kelsie Peterson scored five points in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer to give Grace a momentary lead at 21-20. But Goshen ripped off eight unanswered points late in the half to pull ahead and remained on top 32-29 at the midway break.
Goshen was outshot 40 percent to 45 percent, but the Lady Lancers had 11 turnovers before halftime to hamper their cause. Hannah Adams led all players with seven points at halftime.
Grace came out of the locker room with urgency. The Lady Lancers scored nine unanswered points to force a timeout from Goshen. Four different players for Grace scored in the 9-0 run, capped off with a 3-pointer from Peterson.
Minutes later another triple from Vironnica Drake gave Grace a six-point edge. The teams traded small runs to end the third quarter as Grace led 47-44 entering the final stanza.
The game remained close until a crucial push from the Lady Lancers, keyed by Haley Richardson. The senior forward scored seven points in the first six minutes of the quarter, including a momentum-shifting and-1 to help Grace to a 57-49 lead with 4:25 remaining.
Goshen refused to fade, however. The Maple Leafs scored seven straight to trim Grace's margin to just one with 51 seconds on the clock. Richardson was fouled and promptly sank both free throws to give Grace a three-point cushion.
After forcing a turnover from Goshen, Drake made two more foul shots with 15 seconds left to ice the win.
Richardson scored a team-best 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Adams tallied 11 points off the bench with a pair of 3s.
Peterson finished with 10 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds, Drake amassed 9 points, 7 boards and 3 assists, and Patton added 5 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
Pam Miller chipped in six points and three assists, and Broghan Gamble scored four points off the bench.
The Lady Lancers face a stiff test next week, hosting the reigning NAIA champions Marian on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
