Box Score SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - Grace College's women's basketball dropped a hard fought Crossroads League battle against Spring Arbor on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (11-11, 6-6 CL) nearly overcame a pair of double digit deficits, but ultimately fell short as the Cougars (18-4, 9-3 CL) won 66-55.

Both teams employed high-intensity defense from the opening whistle which each offense struggled to solve.

Michigan native Morganne Houk had the game's first points with a trifecta that just beat shot clock.

Nearly four minutes had elapsed before the Cougars finally got on the scoreboard. SAU momentarily jumped ahead 4-3 before another trifecta, this time from Kaylee Patton, put Grace back in front.

The lead was traded back and forth with Houk adding another 3-point shot before the Cougars ended the quarter on an 11-2 run. SAU took full advantage of nine Lancer turnovers, turning them into the same number of points.

A Kate Rulli layup ended the quarter and put the score at 22-13 in favor of SAU entering the second quarter.

The Cougars had a strong start to the second frame and pushed their advantage to as many as 14 points.

Peyton Murphy began to cut into the deficit with a basket and a free throw and it was cut back to single digits after Kensie Ryman sank a pair at the charity stripe.

SAU pushed the lead back to 11 with a shot beyond the arc, but Grace continued to claw back.

Rulli scored a tough layup through traffic and Maddie Ryman had an old-fashioned 3-point play to continue the Grace run. Houk added another shot from the charity stripe to pull Grace within seven entering halftime.

After the halftime intermission Grace cut the deficit to 33-28, but SAU used timely shooting to extend the lead back to 11 points by the midpoint of the quarter.

Houk answered the run with her third shot from range of the game and Patton followed it up with a finish through contact. Patton added two more points at the free throw line to pull the Lancers within four points.

Houk scored on a late drive to the basket but the Cougars responded by going the length of the floor in just seconds to score at the quarter buzzer and take a 47-41 lead into the final stanza.

Houk started the fourth quarter by bouncing a shot in from range and Murphy drew the Lancers within a point after a fast-break score.

Grace was unable to get any closer though as the Cougars pulled away with an impressive 13-1 run and ultimately won 66-55.

"This was a frustrating loss for everyone in that locker room," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "I felt like we gave them the win today with a bad combination with our turnovers, missed layups and free throws. The effort was there and you could see when we fought back in the second half, but we have to play smarter and be way more consistent in the little things."

Grace finished the game shooting 32 percent compared to 44 percent from SAU. The Lancers committed four more turnovers than the Cougars and SAU held a 24-15 advantage on points off of turnovers.

SAU also held a 36-22 advantage on points scored in the paint.

Houk led Grace with 17 points and Murphy double doubled with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Lancers will be back in action Wednesday with a road matchup against Taylor.