Grace’s bench erupts in celebration during its 97-50 win over Ecclesia in its season finale Friday afternoon. Photo provided

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s basketball team put an exclamation mark to the end of the season, beating Ecclesia 97-50 in the fifth-place game of the NCCAA National Championships.

Kyannah Stull made history in the win. She erupted for 28 points, moving her into fourth place on Grace’s career scoring list. Stull ends her career with 1,633 points, and she is also the career leader in made 3-pointers (281 career 3s).

Stull started the day ranked sixth all-time in points at Grace. But the senior jumped from No. 6 to No. 4 during Friday’s victory, passing the former No. 5 (Cheryl Myers) and No. 4 (Tracie Mezera) scorers.

The first quarter was played at a blistering pace. The teams combined to score 44 points in the 10-minute period.

Both teams shot the 3-pointer well, helping spark the offensive barrage. Stull was a force for Grace, racking up 13 points.

Stull ended the first quarter with a triple, giving Grace a 25-19 edge.

The Lady Lancers quickly ballooned their lead up to double digits in the second quarter. Maddie Ryman scored seven points during a 12-0 run for Grace, helping the hosts open up a 15-point cushion.

Grace used its bench liberally in the game starting in the second quarter, and the Lady Lancers continued to score at ease. Grace led by as many as 21 in the half and claimed a 47-28 lead at halftime.

The Royal were held to 31 percent shooting and lost the rebounding battle by 15.

Ryman led all players with 15 points, and Stull scored 13.

The second half was much of the same. Grace’s aggressive defense and fast-paced attack proved to be too much for the Royals as Grace coasted to the comfortable win.

In their collegiate finales, Stull, Kaylie Warble, Kamryn Hostetler and Melissa Goss each contributed.

Stull finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Warble posted a double-double with 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

Hostetler tallied 12 points, 4 boards and 3 assists, and Goss added four points and two rebounds.

Ryman amassed 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists, and Kaylee Patton flirted with triple-double territory with 9 points, 6 assists and 8 boards.

Kenzie McMahon (5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal) and Carissa Wiegman (4 points, 4 boards, 2 blocks) were busy off the bench, and Sarah O’Day and Olivia Pearson combined for seven rebounds.