MARION, Ind. – Grace's women's basketball team dropped a 70-55 contest on Saturday afternoon at No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan.

The game was tightly contested through much of the first half, but a scoring drought in the third doomed the Lady Lancers' (16-10, 6-8 Crossroads League) hopes of victory.    

Grace scored the first five points of the game. Kiersten Poor converted from close to open the scoring, and Maddie Ryman hit from behind the arc.

A layup from Kenzie McMahon near the midpoint of the quarter pushed the Lady Lancers' lead to 12-5.

IWU (21-4, 10-3) went on a small run to end the quarter, but a layup from Peyton Murphy sent Grace into the second quarter with a 14-12 lead.

After trading buckets to start the quarter, Grace fell behind for the first time following a 3-point shot from IWU.

Grace briefly recaptured the lead, following a trifecta from Ryman. The Lady Lancers led 23-21 with 3:28 left in the half.

IWU ended the second quarter on a 10-1 run, which sent the game into the half with Grace trailing 31-24.

At the half, Ryman led all players with nine points. Grace shot 38 percent compared to IWU's 33 percent. Grace had 11 first-half turnovers.

Grace went scoreless through the first four minutes of the second half. The Lady Lancers surrendered the first seven points of the third quarter; IWU eventually extended its advantage to 18. A pair of Karlee Feldman free throws ended the scoring drought.

Grace struggled from the field throughout the third quarter as they would convert at a 36-percent clip from the field and turned the ball over seven times.

A late field goal from Poor put Grace's deficit at 52-34 as they entered the final quarter.

Feldman and Ryman scored Grace's first eight points in the fourth, but IWU's offense couldn't be slowed as they maintained the 18-point lead.

Kaylee Patton, Carissa Wiegman and Murphy all scored late as Grace fell 70-55.

"There are going to be some days when things don't go your way, and today was one of those days," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "It felt like we came out strong in the first quarter, but we lost our rhythm in the second and never got it back. We still have a lot to play for these next two weeks, so I know these girls will come out ready for the next one."

Ryman scored 18 points and added five rebounds. Feldman double-doubled for the 20th time this season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Grace shot 43 percent from the floor against IWU's 40 percent, but the Lady Lancers were not able to overcome 21 turnovers which the Wildcats turned into 19 points.

Grace will next be in action on Wednesday as it plays host Crossroads League opponent Goshen at 6 p.m.