WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's women's basketball team came up just short in its upset bid against #RV Spring Arbor on Saturday afternoon. The back-and-forth contest went to the visitors 72-67.

The day started with each team making a pair of baskets early, but the Cougars (7-2, 2-1 CL) edged ahead with an 18-9 advantage midway through the quarter. 

The Lancers (3-5, 0-3 CL) buckled down and chipped away at the lead. A bucket from Kaylee Patton and a 3-pointer from Morganne Houk cut the deficit to five. The defense picked up as well as Grace forced a turnover to get a fastbreak basket from Houk. Overall the home team went on an 18-7 run to close the first quarter ahead 29-25. Six different players scored for Grace in the opening stanza with Houk leading the way with 10. 

The second quarter started slow as both teams went nearly three minutes without a field goal after an opening triple from Spring Arbor. Grace's first points of the period came on a pair of free throws from Peyton Murphy with 3:44 remaining in the half. The Cougars put together a mini run to regain the lead and extend it to 10 points. Down the stretch, tough defense and a 7-0 run capped off by a 3-pointer and layup from Maddie Ryman brought the home team to within three at the break 41-38.

The third quarter brought little separation as the teams traded baskets throughout. Neither team could gain momentum or extend a lead as the score gap stayed within three points until a jumper from Bekah Marshall to close out the quarter put Grace ahead by four heading into the final frame.

The teams continued to trade baskets in the fourth quarter as well. The Lancers led by as many as six with 6:29 remaining with baskets from Patton and Ryman. The Cougars would not go away, however, and were able to draw the game level at 65 with under three minutes to go.

Spring Arbor took the lead for good with 1:59 to go in the game. Grace had an opportunity to respond after forcing a turnover, but were unable to find the necessary answer offensively to turn the tide. The Cougars made just enough free throws at the end to escape with a five point victory. 

Patton led all scorers with 19 points on 8-15 shooting from the field. Maddie Ryman chipped in 18 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Houk finished the game with 14 points, 1 assist and 1 steal.

The Lancers will take a break from Crossroads League play to finish out the calendar year with non-conference play. Grace will head up the road to battle Holy Cross on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.