WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's basketball team could not unlock its offense, falling 55-36 to No. 10 Marian on Tuesday night.
The Lady Lancers struggled against the Knights' stingy defense, committing 23 turnovers while shooting 27 percent from the floor.
Karlee Feldman scored a game-high 17 points, and Maddie Ryman added 13 points. But the rest of Grace's team combined to score just six points.
Grace turned to Feldman at the start. The center scored three times in the opening minutes, forcing Marian into an early timeout.
The Lady Lancers' defense was strong to begin the quarter as well, slowing Marian's offense to a grind.
But Grace was unable to build a lead due to ball control. Grace turned the ball over nine times in the period, allowing Marian to grab a 17-8 lead.
The Knights ended the quarter on an 11-0 run as Grace went scoreless for the final 5:15.
Grace's scoring drought carried into the second quarter. The Lady Lancers did not score for more than four additional minutes, extending the scoreless stretch to 8:54 overall.
The Lady Lancers could not make a run to end the half and went into halftime behind 29-15.
Grace made just 5 of 22 from the floor in the half for 23 percent, while Marian shot 42 percent. In the second quarter alone, Grace shot 1 of 10.
Grace also turned the ball over 14 times before halftime, directly resulting in 18 points for the Knights.
Shooting woes continued in the third quarter for Grace; the Lady Lancers missed their first 10 shots. As a result, Grace fell behind by 23 after beginning the half on a seven-minute drought.
Ryman broke the slump with a steal and fastbreak layup.
Grace mustered just four points in the third quarter and faced a 21-point deficit as the final quarter began.
With Grace struggling to find its offensive identity, the Lady Lancers returned to Feldman. The junior scored five quick points in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter.
Ryman also buried a triple, cutting Marian's lead down to 18 with 7:27 remaining in the game.
Grace continued to play the Knights evenly for the rest of the quarter. Grace outscored Marian 17-15 in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done as the Knights secured the win.
Feldman shot 7 of 14 from the floor for her 17 points, grabbing seven rebounds as well. Ryman tallied 13 points, 4 boards and 2 assists while hitting three 3-pointers.
Kenzie McMahon grabbed a game-high nine rebounds while scoring four points, and Peyton Murphy had three assists and five boards.
"The difference in the game tonight was our turnovers. We didn't shoot it well either. Defensively the ladies played solid against a very good team, and we competed all the way until the end. We will clean up the offense and continue to work some things out after the break. We are looking forward to getting back after it," said Grace head coach Dan Davis.
The Lady Lancers' next outing will also be at home. Grace will host St. Francis on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. in a doubleheader with the men's teams.
