By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s basketball team continued its strong play of late with a 78-55 victory over Oakland City on Thursday.

Grace’s Kate Schlatter competes Thursday in a home win over Oakland City. Photo courtesy Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images

The Lady Lancers ended the 2020 calendar year by winning their fourth straight game. Grace shared the ball well in victory, producing five players in double digits in the scoring column.

The first half was filled with frenetic back-and-forth action. The pace of the game fell right in line for the Lady Lancers, who thrived off creating turnovers in the first half.

The Mighty Oaks were unable to handle Grace’s defensive energy, committing 17 turnovers before halftime. Grace forced three shot clock violations and two 10-second backcourt violations in the first half.

Kenzie McMahon and Maddie Ryman each scored six points in the first quarter, helping Grace to a 21-15 lead.

Oakland City scored the first seven points of the second quarter to take a 22-21 lead, but their momentum ran out soon after.

Grace responded with a devastating 12-0 run, nine of those points scored by either Ryman or Kaylie Warble.

The Lady Lancers continued to build their lead, pulling ahead 43-29 at halftime. Grace ended the half on a 22-7 run.

Ryman and Stull tied for scoring honors with 11 points apiece before halftime.

The Mighty Oaks started the third quarter by scoring four quick points to come within 10, but Grace again countered.

The Lady Lancers went on a 14-2 charge to earn a commanding 22-point lead at 57-35. Kamryn Hostetler jumpstarted Grace’s run with five straight points, and Kaylee Patton later scored six points to break open Oakland City’s zone defense.

The Lady Lancers never let the lead shrink to less than 20 during the final period, using its bench down the stretch to end the game.

Oakland City (48 percent) actually outshot Grace (45 percent) from the floor in the game, but the Lady Lancers forced the Mighty Oaks into 30 turnovers. Grace scored 37 points off those miscues and had 15 fastbreak points overall.

Ryman led all players with 14 points to go along with 6 assists, 6 steals and 3 rebounds. Stull tallied 11 points, 7 boards and 4 steals, and McMahon notched 13 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

Warble scored 10 points to go along with four boards, and Kiersten Poor amassed 7 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Patton scored 10 points off the bench, making 4 of 5 from the floor, and Hostetler chipped in eight points and two assists.

The Lady Lancers will return to action on New Year’s Day. Grace hosts Trinity International at 2 p.m. to start 2021. The game also marks Grace’s final scheduled non-conference game.

Crossroads League action is set to resume on Monday when Grace hosts Bethel for a 7 p.m. showdown.