WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's women's basketball picked up its fifth straight victory with a 68-58 win over Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Lady Lancers (15-7, 5-5 Crossroads League) move into fifth place overall in the Crossroads League and are tied for the third-most wins.
Grace's offense was in rhythm from the opening tip, scoring on its first four possessions. Maddie Ryman hit a 3-point shot, and Kenzie McMahon and Karlee Feldman each scored as the Lady Lancers established a 9-0 lead.
The Cougars (11-10, 5-4 CL) found offensive consistency soon after, but back-to-back scores from Feldman held Grace's lead at nine.
Kaylee Patton and Kiersten Poor both scored late, and the Lady Lancers took a 23-11 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter Grace maintained their lead. Early points from Patton and Feldman threatened to blow the game open, but the Cougars mustered a response to keep the Lady Lancers within striking distance.
MVNU was unable to find an answer for McMahon who torched the MVNU defense for seven points in the quarter.
Peyton Murphy ended the half with a bucket to send the game into the half with the Lady Lancers leading 40-31.
At the half McMahon had nearly double-doubled with nine rebounds and nine points. Ryman and Feldman paced the Lady Lancers with 11 and 10 points respectfully.
Grace shot 48 percent from the floor compared to 41 percent from MVNU. Grace also shot a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe.
Grace went cold from the floor for the first three and a half minutes of the third quarter, which allowed MVNU to cut the lead to three.
McMahon scored to end the drought; then Poor and Feldman each found room in the paint to extend Grace's lead.
The Lady Lancers ended the quarter on a 10-3 run. Poor, Feldman and Ryman all got in on the action as Grace entered the fourth quarter with a 52-42 lead.
As the fourth quarter started, Grace went on a run to put the game out of reach. The Lady Lancers started the quarter on a 11-4 charge, which was capped by a Ryman triple.
Grace led by 10-plus points the entire quarter and held on for the 68-58 win.
"We are really competing at a high level," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "They made a run in the third quarter, but our girls never let up and were able to put it away in the fourth. Seeing the improvement that our team has made from the first MVNU game shows that our hard work is paying off."
Feldman led all players with 18 points, and she also added 11 rebounds. McMahon also double-doubled with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Ryman had 16 points, and Murphy contributed six points and five rebounds from the bench.
Grace shot 39 percent from the floor while holding MVNU to 33 percent. The Lady Lancers outscored the Cougars 34-20 in the paint.
The Cougars were forced into 18 turnovers which Grace turned into 13 points.
Grace will return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Indianapolis for a 7 p.m. showdown with No. 7 Marian.
