HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Grace College's women's basketball team picked up a convincing 76-43 win over Huntington on Saturday afternoon.
Grace shot a blistering 62 percent from beyond the arc which propelled them to an easy win.
The win was Grace's second straight conference victory, and they are now tied for the fourth-most conference wins in the Crossroads League.
This game marked the start of an eight-day stretch in which Grace (12-7, 3-5 CL) will play four games.
Grace burst out to an early lead in the first quarter and never looked backed. Maddie Ryman and Karlee Feldman scored the Lady Lancers' first nine points to give Grace a 9-1 lead.
Grace's defense was clinical and did not allow a Huntington (2-17, 0-8 CL) field goal through the first 5:40 of the quarter.
Kenzie McMahon and Kiersten Poor each scored baskets, and Maddie Ryman continued her torrid start, pouring in 11 first-quarter points.
Grace led 20-4 at the quarter break, surrendering one free throw to the Foresters.
The Lady Lancers continued their dominant performance in the second quarter. McMahon and Peyton Murphy each scored before Maddie Ryman added another 3-point field goal to her day.
Following a pull-up jump shot from Kiersten Poor, the Lady Lancers had pushed their lead to 21. Feldman ended the half with an offensive put back as Grace entered the half leading 36-15.
Maddie Ryman poured in 14 points in the first half. McMahon added 4 points, 4 assists and 9 rebounds.
Grace shot 48 percent from the floor and 62 percent from beyond the arc compared to Huntington's 16 and 11 percent.
As the second half started, Grace refused to let up. The Lady Lancers started the third quarter on a 13-4 run, fueled by seven points from Kaylee Patton.
Grace seemed to score at will, converting at a 56 percent clip for the quarter.
Carissa Wiegman joined in on the scoring action, pushing the Lady Lancers' lead to 32 as the game entered the final frame.
Grace used its bench in the fourth quarter to close out the game. Thirteen players saw action in the victory.
Kensie Ryman played the entire fourth quarter and scored eight points. Olivia Pearson and Kate Schlatter each converted from long range as Grace put the finishing touches on a dominant performance.
"I loved how we came out with intensity in the first quarter and maintained it into the second half to really put the game away," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "Picking up back-to-back wins over conference opponents is huge for our confidence and really shows our development over the last two weeks. I am looking forward to a long home stand next week."
Karlee Feldman grabbed double-digit rebounds (14) for the fourth straight game. She also added eight points and a block.
Poor had 11 points, and McMahon narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.
Maddie Ryman scored 18 points and added three assists. The junior guard now sits just four points shy of the 1,000-point total. She would become the 21st player in program history to reach that mark.
The Lady Lancers will return home next week for a three-game stretch starting with Miami-Hamilton at 6 p.m. on Monday. Grace also hosts Spring Arbor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday at 1 p.m.
