WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's basketball flexed its defensive muscles in a convincing 55-37 victory over Taylor on Saturday afternoon.

The 37 points was the fewest that Grace (18-7, 11-4 Crossroads League) has surrendered in a Crossroads League game since the 2014-15 season.

The victory also guaranteed that the Lady Lancers can finish no worse than third place in the Crossroads League Standings.

The defensive slugfest that was to ensue was obvious from the opening tip, as Grace held a 2-0 lead at the midpoint of the first quarter.

Karlee Feldman scored Grace's first four-points as Grace's lead was extended to 6-1. The Lady Lancers did not give up a made field goal until the 3:53 mark of the first quarter.

Both teams shot 23 percent from the field in the first quarter and Grace took a narrow 9-7 lead into the second stanza.

Peyton Murphy started the second quarter with a trifecta and Molly Long followed it up on the next possession with a 3-point field goal of her own.

Taylor again struggled to find any open looks from the field, shooting just 31 percent in the second quarter.

Grace took advantage of Taylor's offensive woes and following a Kate Rulli bucket, had pushed their lead to double-digits.

The Trojans were able to end the half with four-straight points to send the game to the intermission with Grace ahead 28-22.

Grace shot 39 percent in the first half compared to Taylor's 27 percent. The Lady Lancers out scored the Trojans 20-14 in the paint and forced Taylor into seven turnovers.

Grace's defense put on a stellar defensive performance in the third quarter as the Lady Lancers began to distance themselves from the Crossroads League foe.

Feldman scored five straight points and Maddie Ryman connected on a jumper to push Grace ahead by 13 points.

The Lady Lancers put the locks on Taylor's offense as the Trojans were forced to endure a pair of lengthy dry spells from the field.

Molly Long gave Grace an 18-point cushion with 2:23 left in the quarter, as the Lady Lancers held Taylor to just two made field goals in the third frame.

In the fourth quarter, Grace's lead reached as many as 22-points as the Lady Lancers finished off the dominant 55-37 win.

"Our defense was unbelievable today," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "Even with an off quarter offensively, our defense helped us maintain our lead. We had good rotations, we contested every shot, truly a dominant performance from start to finish. Even when we took Karlee off the floor after her 2nd foul, there wasn't any drop off in our performance. What an elite defensive performance."

Feldman picked up her 18th double-double of the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Ryman tied for the team lead with 17 points to go along with three steals.

Molly Long produced six points off the bench.

Grace finished the game 39 percent from the floor and held Taylor to 12 made field goals while forcing them into 16 turnovers.

The Lady Lancers will be in action again on Wednesday as they host Goshen for their final home contest of the regular season.