WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's basketball team was unable to connect offensively in a 69-61 defeat to Goshen on Wednesday.

The Lady Lancers had strong marks statistically in some areas, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and committing a season-best eight turnovers.

But Grace shot just 32 percent from the floor and 29 percent from beyond the arc.

Maddie Ryman's team-high 18 points were not enough as Grace scored five points off the bench and had only five fastbreak points.

The attack for Grace could not have started worse. The Lady Lancers (9-8, 1-7 Crossroads League) missed their first seven shots and fell behind 8-0.

Kiersten Poor scored four quick points to jumpstart Grace's offense, and Kyannah Stull and Kamryn Hostetler later drilled 3-pointers.

But Goshen remained in front, largely due to playing in the paint. The Maple Leafs scored 14 points in the paint in the first quarter and outrebounded Grace 16-5.

Ryman gave Grace a spark late in the period with a driving layup and a deep 3-pointer to cut Goshen's margin down to 20-15 as the first quarter ended.

Both offenses struggled in the second quarter. Grace was held to single digits (nine points), and Goshen scored 12 to take a 32-24 lead at halftime.

The Lady Lancers shot just 28 percent from the floor, including a woeful 4 of 19 (21 percent) from the 3-point line.

Poor was a lone bright spot for Grace's attack with nine points, and Stull tallied seven points.

The Lady Lancers seemed to save most of their offense for the third quarter. Grace erupted for 22 points in the period after scoring just 24 in the entire first half.

Ryman led the charge offensively with nine points in the frame, helping Grace to its first lead of the game.

Grace still led by three in the final minutes of the third quarter, but Goshen rattled off seven quick points down the stretch to regain the lead at 48-46 as the period ended.

Unfortunately for the Lady Lancers, Grace missed its first four field goals of the fourth quarter, and Goshen made its first three shots. The Maple Leafs grabbed a six-point edge with 6:20 remaining.

The Lady Lancers struggled to generate a made basket in the fourth quarter, going nearly five minutes without a made field goal.

Despite their struggles, Grace still trailed by only four points with 2:40 on the clock. But the Lady Lancers hit another untimely drought, going scoreless for the next 2:00 to allow Goshen to pull away for the win.

Poor tallied 14 points and five rebounds, and Stull scored 12 points. Hostetler finished with six points and six assists, Kaylie Warble added six points and seven boards, and Kaylee Patton chipped in 5 points, 3 assists, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.

"We had some mental lapses on both sides of the floor, which unfortunately happened at some key moments tonight. We have to develop more mental toughness as a team to remain mentally engaged," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "We have to play better, coach better and execute better. It's really a collective effort. We know we can do it, but we need to start executing."

The Lady Lancers will get another chance to win at home on Thursday with a 4 p.m. matchup with Grace Christian.