Lady Lancers Misfire On Upset Bid Vs No. 11 IWU
January 6, 2022 at 10:42 p.m.
Lady Lancers Misfire On Upset Bid Vs No. 11 IWU
By Josh Neuhart-
Maddie Ryman was almost unstoppable for Grace, pouring in 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for the Lady Lancers (10-6, 1-4 Crossroads League).
Grace led by as many as 14 points in the first half in a lockdown defensive performance.
The first quarter started slowly for both sides. Ryman’s 3-pointer after 2:30 of action was the first made shot of the game.
The Wildcats (15-2, 4-1 CL) struggled to find clean looks on offense and missed their first five shots.
Ryman was a force in the first half. She was dangerous from long range and while driving the ball. She scored eight quick points, putting IWU into an early hole at 16-5 to force a timeout by the Wildcats.
The Lady Lancers ended the quarter leading by eight at 18-10.
The second quarter saw much of the same. Grace’s swarming defense gave IWU fits throughout the period.
Grace pushed its lead up to 14 with a few minutes left in the first half, but IWU managed to pull within nine at halftime. The Wildcats were held to just 22 points at halftime as Grace led 31-21.
Ryman poured in 17 first-half points, and Karlee Feldman scored eight. All other players for Grace had six points combined.
The third quarter was the turning point of the game, however. Grace struggled mightily to find offensive production.
The Lady Lancers shot just 2 of 12 from the floor (17 percent), while IWU made four 3-pointers and shot 56 percent in the period.
IWU tied the game by the midway mark of the third quarter and took the lead for good one possession later.
The Wildcats ended the quarter with a 46-41 advantage, outscoring Grace by 15 in the third period (25-10).
Early in the fourth quarter, Grace scored on four straight possessions. But IWU managed to keep pace to prevent Grace from retaking the lead.
The Lady Lancers remained within striking distance in the final period, but the Wildcats made stops at key moments to hold on for the six-point win.
Ryman has scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games. She was named the Crossroads League Player of the Week on Monday.
Feldman finished with 14 points, 15 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots.
Kiersten Poor scored nine points with four assists, and Peyton Murphy had two points and five rebounds.
“I thought we had a great start to the game on the defensive end. Unfortunately the third quarter was the difference in the game. They made some shots, and we didn’t convert when we needed to,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “We fought hard and competed against one of the top teams in the nation, and this type of game proves that we can play with the best of the best. We will take more positives from this than negatives. I like where this team is headed.”
The Lady Lancers will stay home for a matchup on Saturday. The women will host Taylor at 1 p.m., which will be followed by the men’s Grace/Taylor meeting at 3 p.m.
Maddie Ryman was almost unstoppable for Grace, pouring in 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for the Lady Lancers (10-6, 1-4 Crossroads League).
Grace led by as many as 14 points in the first half in a lockdown defensive performance.
The first quarter started slowly for both sides. Ryman’s 3-pointer after 2:30 of action was the first made shot of the game.
The Wildcats (15-2, 4-1 CL) struggled to find clean looks on offense and missed their first five shots.
Ryman was a force in the first half. She was dangerous from long range and while driving the ball. She scored eight quick points, putting IWU into an early hole at 16-5 to force a timeout by the Wildcats.
The Lady Lancers ended the quarter leading by eight at 18-10.
The second quarter saw much of the same. Grace’s swarming defense gave IWU fits throughout the period.
Grace pushed its lead up to 14 with a few minutes left in the first half, but IWU managed to pull within nine at halftime. The Wildcats were held to just 22 points at halftime as Grace led 31-21.
Ryman poured in 17 first-half points, and Karlee Feldman scored eight. All other players for Grace had six points combined.
The third quarter was the turning point of the game, however. Grace struggled mightily to find offensive production.
The Lady Lancers shot just 2 of 12 from the floor (17 percent), while IWU made four 3-pointers and shot 56 percent in the period.
IWU tied the game by the midway mark of the third quarter and took the lead for good one possession later.
The Wildcats ended the quarter with a 46-41 advantage, outscoring Grace by 15 in the third period (25-10).
Early in the fourth quarter, Grace scored on four straight possessions. But IWU managed to keep pace to prevent Grace from retaking the lead.
The Lady Lancers remained within striking distance in the final period, but the Wildcats made stops at key moments to hold on for the six-point win.
Ryman has scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games. She was named the Crossroads League Player of the Week on Monday.
Feldman finished with 14 points, 15 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots.
Kiersten Poor scored nine points with four assists, and Peyton Murphy had two points and five rebounds.
“I thought we had a great start to the game on the defensive end. Unfortunately the third quarter was the difference in the game. They made some shots, and we didn’t convert when we needed to,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “We fought hard and competed against one of the top teams in the nation, and this type of game proves that we can play with the best of the best. We will take more positives from this than negatives. I like where this team is headed.”
The Lady Lancers will stay home for a matchup on Saturday. The women will host Taylor at 1 p.m., which will be followed by the men’s Grace/Taylor meeting at 3 p.m.
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