MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Grace College's women's basketball team used a dominant second half performance to best Mount Vernon 98-87 on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (11-13, 3-11 Crossroads League) trailed by as many as 14 points in the contest but outscored the Cougars by 20 in the second half including 14 in the final frame to pull away for the victory.

Grace had four players score in double digits in the victory and eight players score overall.

The Lancers got off to a slow start on Saturday, falling behind by eight points in the early minutes.

Becca Gerdt scored three points the old-fashioned way but the Cougars (6-18, 2-12 CL) continued to separate, pushing the lead to 12 by the midpoint of the quarter.

The Lancers got buckets from Emma Sperry and Braylin Terrell as Grace managed to match MVNU's offensive output down the stretch. At the first quarter break Grace trailed 34-25.

The second quarter was a defensive showcase at the start. Both squads were held off the score sheet through the first 2:28.

Gerdt was the player that broke the ice and Grace then got to within four when Sperry drilled a 3-point field goal. The Cougars wasted little time in reestablishing their advantage however, pushing the lead back to 12 in just over a minute of play.

Bekah Longenbaugh also displayed her touch from deep with a trifecta of her own as the teams went blow-for blow down the stretch. A physical finish from Gerdt late in the half sent the game into halftime with Grace down 51-42.

MVNU shot 47 percent in the first half compared to Grace's 35 percent. The Lancers forced eight more turnovers but hit on three last 3-point attempts and had half as many free throws.

The first five points of the second half belonged to the Cougars, giving them their biggest lead of the game at 14 points.

The Lancers came back with 12 unanswered of their own from four different players.

Grace's scoring outburst was fueled from the defensive side of the floor. The Lancers had three steals and a block, all of which led to points.

MVNU broke up Grace's scoring run and momentarily pushed back ahead by seven points but it did little to slow the Lancer onslaught.

Maddy Poynter scored from beyond the arc then Sperry rattled off five unanswered points of her own to give Grace a one-point advantage.

Timely 3-point shooting from the Cougars allowed them to carry a narrow 75-72 lead into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter Grace's defense caused the Cougars fits. The Lancers forced 11 turnovers and had three blocks, allowing just five fourth quarter possessions to end in points for MVNU.

On the offensive side of the floor Gerdt pushed her team ahead in the early portions of the frame and Grace never looked back.

Sperry scored on a nice dish from Poynter and on the next possession Terrel added a pair at the charity stripe to give the Lancers an 84-77 lead.

Grace's cushion reached double digit points after a steal from Gerdt sprung Sperry loose for an easy score.

The game was clinched at the free throw line late for the Lancers as Morganne Houk and Poynter combined to go 5-6 from the line to secure the 98-87 victory.

"I am super proud of what this team displayed today," raved Grace head coach Dan Davis. "Not everyone gets to see what goes on inside of our program, but today I think they saw what I see everyday. That this is a team with a tremendous heart and culture. They showed that on the floor today."

Grace finished the game shooting 42 percent from the floor while MVNU shot 47 percent. The Lancers forced an eye-popping 29 turnovers while committing just 10 themselves. Grace converted those miscues into 34 points.

The Lancers also had 18 offensive rebounds and held a dominant 52-36 edge on points in the paint.

Sperry led Grace with 24 points and Houk was close behind with 20. 32 of their combined 44 points came in the second half.

Poynter shot an efficient 7-15 for 20 points and Gerdt double doubled with 16 points and 10 boards. Terrel had a well balanced stat line with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals.

Grace will return to action on Wednesday as they play host to No. 5 Marian at 5:30 p.m.