WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's basketball team nearly completed a heroic comeback against Bethel on Wednesday night.

The Lancers (9-9, 1-7 Crossroads League) clawed back from 17 points down to tie the game late in the fourth quarter before ultimately falling 97-95.

Grace got off to a slow start in the opening quarter, shooting 29 percent from the floor. The Lancers fell behind 8-2 before scoring their first bucket from the field thanks to a layup from Braylin Terrell.

The Pilots (13-5, 4-4 CL) pushed their lead to double digits late in the first and carried a 28-17 advantage into the quarter break.

Becca Gerdt hit a pair of free throws to start the second quarter as the Bethel lead hovered around 10 points for the first four minutes of the quarter.

A mini 6-0 run for the Pilots pushed the Pilots ahead 39-23 with 4:09 left in the quarter.

The Lancers answered back with a 6-0 run of their own thanks to buckets from Gerdt, Maddy Poynter and Paula Fernandez.

Grace closed out the half with a free throw from Emma Sperry and a score from Poynter to cut the lead down to single digits at 45-36 entering the half.

Grace shot 33 percent in the first half while Bethel shot 46 percent. The Pilots turned the ball over 14 times while Grace only had five. Gerdt led Grace with 11 points in the opening half.

Bethel wasted little time extending their lead in the third quarter, pushing ahead by 15 points just two minutes into the half.

Grace made several attempts to battle back but each time Bethel responded with a timely 3-point shot to stall any momentum. With 1:41 left in the frame the Pilots lead reached its highest mark at 17 points.

Poynter connected on a trifecta late and Morganne Houk added a pair at the charity stripe to make it 81-68 entering the fourth quarter.

Grace was down 13 with 6:42 left in the game when Poynter picked up her fifth foul. Despite losing one of their top offensive weapons, the Lancers mustered a response.

Bekah Longenbaugh hit a 3-point shot and a minute later Houk added one of her own. Sperry then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and dished the ball to Houk for the score. The Lancers burst cut the lead down to five points.

The Pilots called a timeout but it did little to slow Grace. The Lancers scored again with a layup from Houk and Sperry cut the lead to one with three minutes left.

The Pilots ended a 12-0 for the Lancers to push ahead by three but Longenbaugh tied the game on the next possession with a 3-point field goal.

Bethel came back with six unanswered points and led 93-87 with under a minute left.

Grace continued to battle and a trifecta of free throws from Sperry gave the Lancers one final chance. Grace trailed 97-95 and had a final half-court heave but the attempt fell short securing the game for Bethel.

Grace finished the game shooting 42 percent while Bethel shot 49 percent. The Lancers had 13 fewer turnovers and lead second chance points (15-11) and led points off of turnovers 26-11.

Sperry finished the game with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals.

The Lancers will be back in action on Saturday against Goshen to close out the first round of conference play.