SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - A big first quarter by Spring Arbor allowed the Cougars to take down Grace's women's basketball team on Saturday.

The Lancers fell 85-52 with the majority of the damage coming in the opening stanza.

Grace put itself into a big early hole with a sluggish first quarter.

The Lancers struggled mightily with shot making (2 of 14 field goals) in the period as well as ball control (14 turnovers). SAU claimed a 26-5 lead after 10 minutes.

The second quarter was much better for Grace. The Lancers more than halved their turnovers, trailing SAU by just six points in the quarter.

But the Cougars still claimed a 45-18 lead into halftime.

The second half saw Grace steady the ship. The Lancers played evenly with the Cougars after halftime. SAU scored 40 points in the second half compared to 34 points for Grace.

The Lancers scored the ball well in the third quarter. Grace battled its way to the free throw line, taking 15 free throws in the period. The Lancers hit eight of those tries. The Cougars held a slight 21-17 edge in scoring in the third.

In the fourth quarter, the Lancers again found offense at the free throw line. Grace made 7 of 9 from the charity stripe.

The Lancers also had their best ballhandling effort in the quarter with a game-low two turnovers over the 10-minute period. Grace was outscored by just two in the fourth quarter (19-17), but the first-quarter damage was already done.

Grace finished the game shooting 26 percent as a team from the floor and 13 percent on 3s (4 of 30). SAU made 45 percent overall and 14 percent on 3s (2 of 14).

The Lancers struggled with 28 turnovers compared to 11 for SAU.

Morganne Houk tied for scoring honors with 13 points, adding four rebounds and two assists.

Braylin Terrell racked up 5 points, 5 blocked shots and 6 rebounds, and Emma Sperry notched nine points with five boards.

Bekah Longenbaugh scored seven points, Rylea Wetz nabbed nine rebounds, Abbie Ritzema had six points, and Molly Long had five points.

"We didn't get off the bus ready to coach or play. It was a poor start with 14 turnovers in the first quarter. That's unacceptable and creates a tough hole to dig out of against a good team on the road," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "We didn't play our game on either side of the ball today and felt like we were out of sync. We are still figuring things out, but it will come."

The Lancers will return home on Friday for an early 11 a.m. tipoff with Great Lakes Christian. The game is part of Grace's annual Elementary Day, inviting hundreds of local elementary students to attend for free.