Grace’s bench reacts during a 77-74 overtime win over Cincinnati Christian Friday night. (Photo provided by the Grace College Sports Information Department)

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s basketball team kicked off the Carol Forbes Classic with a thrilling 77-74 win in overtime against Cincinnati Christian on Friday.

The tournament, held in conjunction with Grace’s men’s team as a cancer care benefit for the community, saw four players from Grace reach double figures.

Kaylie Warble earned her first career double-double with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, and Vironnica Drake had scoring honors on the night with 17 points.

Drake had a chance to end the game in regulation. She was fouled with just seconds on the clock and the game tied 67-67, but she missed both free throws to send the game to overtime.

Drake redeemed herself in overtime. Grace clung to a one-point lead with 13 seconds remaining; this time Drake went 2-for-2 from the line to ice the 77-74 victory.

The teams could hardly be separated in regulation. The first quarter was fast-paced as the teams combined to score 36 points. Drake scored six points in the quarter, and Kyannah Stull had five in the period.

The Eagles (0-5) continued to score at a rapid pace and went into halftime with a 42-39 lead.

CCU scored 24 points in the second quarter in large part to its outside shooting. The Eagles drilled nine 3-pointers before halftime over Grace’s defense.

Grace recovered and pulled ahead by four late in the third quarter, but the Eagles hit a last-second triple to trail by one.

Kelsie Peterson gave the Lady Lancers (3-4) a spark to start the fourth quarter; she scored four quick points to put Grace ahead 56-51.

But the Eagles clawed back, eventually earning a 65-64 lead after a 3-pointer with 38 seconds to play. Lauren Godfrey responded with a clutch triple, but the Eagles managed to tie the game with two free throws in the last 10 seconds. 

In the extra period, Stull converted an and-1 and a 3-pointer on consecutive plays to provide a cushion for Grace. Drake’s free throws then iced the game in the waning seconds.

Drake’s 17 points came with five rebounds and three assists, and Stull added 13 points and four boards.

Peterson scored 10 points with five rebounds before fouling out, and Myriah Hoffman, Godfrey and Micaela Box tallied seven points apiece.

The Lady Lancers will end the Carol Forbes Classic on Saturday, playing against No. 18 IU Northwest at 2 p.m.