WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's women's basketball team couldn't overcome a sluggish offensive performance in a 97-66 loss to No. 4 Marian on Wednesday night.

The Lancers (11-14, 3-12 Crossroads League) struggled from the floor shooting 30 percent and turned the ball over 30 times.

Becca Gerdt and Emma Sperry scored the Lancers first 13 points of the contest as Grace trailed 15-13 four minutes into the game.

Maddy Poynter added another score at the midpoint quarter but the Knights (23-2, 13-3 CL) slowly began to separate.

Abbie Ritzema kept the Lancers within striking distance but Marian had built a 31-20 lead heading into the quarter break.

As the second quarter got underway Grace's offense went stagnant. The Lancers went the first 6:24 without scoring and turned the ball over 18 times in the frame, helping Marian build a 31-point lead.

Braylin Terrell broke the dry spell for Grace with a tough layup and Gerdt followed up with a score of her own on the next possession.

Morganne Houk, Bekah Longenbaugh and Poynter scored the Lancers final points at the charity stripe as the game entered the intermission with Grace trailing 62-28.

Grace shot 37 percent in the first half while Marian shot a blistering 69 percent. The Lancers turned the ball over 24 times and were outscored 46-12 in the paint.

In the third quarter Grace's defense stalled Marian's offense, holding them to their lowest scoring output of the game.

Poynter scored at the free-throw line and Longenbaugh added a trifecta while the Lancers held the Knights to just two made baskets through the first half of the quarter.

Gerdt had a pair of steals that led to scores from Kate Thomas and Houk but Grace was unable to close the gap.

In the fourth quarter the Lancers had seven different players get on the score sheet. Freshman Ava Yordy led all players in the frame with seven points. Grace outscored Marian 28-21 in the final frame.

Houk led Grace with 13 points and Gerdt was close behind with 12 points. Both players and Terrell had six rebounds.

The Lancers finished the game shooting 32 percent from the floor while Marian was an impressive 54 percent.

The Lancers will return to action on Saturday as they look to complete the season sweep over IWU at home. Tipoff is set for 1 P.M.