Grace’s Rally Comes Up Empty In OT
WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s basketball team fell to Roosevelt 80-73 in overtime in the final contest of the Bennigan’s Terry Polston Hoops for Hope on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (4-4) needed a colossal effort to send the game to overtime, but the Lakers (4-2) poured in 17 points in the extra session to secure the win.
Grace struggled immensely with its shooting touch in the first half, hitting just 27 percent from the floor. But despite the shooting woes, Grace only trailed 26-23 at the halftime break.
Midway into the third quarter, Grace pulled ahead 33-32 on a basket from Sarah Feasby. But Roosevelt ended the last five minutes of the quarter on a 17-5 run, opening up a 49-38 advantage heading into the final quarter.
With 1:09 left in the fourth quarter, Roosevelt connected on two free throws to lead by seven. But Brooke Sugg hit a 3-pointer on Grace’s next possession, and a steal and layup by Haley Richardson cut that margin to two with 43 seconds to play.
The Lakers hit two free throws, but Kelsey Sule responded with six seconds left to make the score 62-60. Roosevelt made 1-of-2 from the foul line, and the Lakers sent Grace to the free throw stripe with five seconds left and a three-point margin.
Gabby Miller made the first shot and missed the second. Richardson soared for the offensive rebound on the left side of the lane and calmly banked in the game-tying shot. Richardson then nearly stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but time expired as the game remarkably went to overtime. Grace scored 10 points in the final 1:09 of regulation.
The teams traded baskets to start the overtime session, but Roosevelt broke open a 68-68 tie with back-to-back 3-pointers. Grace did not have an answer, allowing the Lakers to secure the win from the free throw line.
Richardson finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, and Miller added 12 points and five assists. Sugg drilled 4-of-7 from beyond the arc for 12 points, and Kelsie Peterson tallied 10 points and five boards.
Kelsey Sule was a spark off the bench with eight points in 13 minutes, and Sarah Feasby ended with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Lady Lancers open the Crossroads League season next week. Grace will play at Taylor on Tuesday at 7 p.m.