MARION, Ind. - Grace's women's basketball team collected a pivotal road victory, taking down Indiana Wesleyan 90-80 on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers made a decisive run in the fourth quarter, gaining separation and rolling away for the 10-point win.

Emma Sperry exploded for 34 points in the win, headlining a stellar effort from Grace.

Offensively, the Lancers attacked relentlessly and were rewarded with 32 made free throws. Defensively, Grace's activity forced IWU into 25 turnovers, their most of the season.

Grace's offense began slowly but quickly picked up momentum during the first quarter.

Maddy Poynter canned a 3-pointer 90 seconds into the game, but that was Grace's only points for nearly the first four minutes.

IWU opened up a slight 7-3 edge, but Grace came to life from deep. Emma Sperry, who was lethal in the quarter, canned two 3-pointers in 22 seconds.

Poynter shortly afterwards scored four quick points as Grace tied the score.

The teams traded scores over the final minutes of the quarter with the game being played at a rapid pace. In the final minute, Grace pushed in front by two thanks to free throws from Morganne Houk. But IWU scored on the next possession, ending the period with a 26-26 score.

Sperry racked up 14 points in the period, amassing four triples. Grace's furious defense collected four steals as well.

The Wildcats began the second quarter better, taking a six-point edge at 36-30.

Grace responded with a stout defensive effort. The Lancers held IWU to just three points over a seven-minute span.

The Lancers erupted with a 15-3 run to take a 45-39 lead; the Wildcats turned the ball over six times during that run and shot 1 of 8 from the floor. Houk scored six points to power Grace's charge.

Houk added a layup in the closing seconds, and Grace went into halftime with a 47-43 lead.

Sperry (16 points), Houk (13 points) and Poynter (11 points) led Grace in scoring at the half.

The Wildcats drilled a 3-point shot to start the second but Grace fired back with a trifecta of their own just 20 seconds later. Another trey from Sperry pushed Grace's lead to seven points.

IWU tied the game at 53 but their momentum came to a halt when Sperry connected on another shot from range.

With two minutes left in the quarter Grace scored six unanswered points as their lead neared double digits at 65-56. As the game entered the final frame Grace led by seven.

Grace and IWU traded buckets at the start of the fourth quarter. Following a timeout the Wildcats connected on a 3-point shot that pulled them to within three points. Becca Gerdt then added a point at the charity stripe but the Wildcats continued to hit timely shots from deep, sitting behind 68-67 with 6:19 left in the game.

Down the stretch the Lancers were able to maintain their margin at the free throw line and held a three-point lead as the clock went under five minutes.

Sperry had a pair of pullup jumpers and Braylin Terrell added another as the Lancers took a strangled hold on the game.

With 2:04 left the Lancers led 83-76 and their defense clinched the game. Grace held IWU to just one more made field goal over the final two minutes to secure the 90-80 win.

"I think this was one of our best games from start to finish," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "Indiana Wesleyan is one the best programs in our conference and the entire NAIA and for our ladies to come into their place and beat them says so much about the resilience and fortitude that this team has. Proud of what they accomplished today."

Grace was out shot 40 percent to 32 percent but hit four more 3-point field goals. The Lancers held a narrow advantage in second chance points (14-10) and points off of turnovers ( 21-18).

Sperry led all players with 34 points, while adding 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Houk also impressed with 18 points and six assists while Poynter poured in 17 points of her own.

Terrell was a menace on boards with 12 rebounds.

Next up, the Lancers will play at home on Wednesday. Grace will take on Bethel at 5:30 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center