Lady Lancers Stay Hot With Fifth Straight Win
January 23, 2022 at 8:42 p.m.
Lady Lancers Stay Hot With Fifth Straight Win
By Grant Cook-
With the win, the Lady Lancers (15-7, 5-5 Crossroads League) move into fifth place overall in the Crossroads League and are tied for the third-most wins.
Grace’s offense was in rhythm from the opening tip, scoring on its first four possessions. Maddie Ryman hit a 3-point shot, and Kenzie McMahon and Karlee Feldman each scored as the Lady Lancers established a 9-0 lead.
The Cougars (11-10, 5-4 CL) found offensive consistency soon after, but back-to-back scores from Feldman held Grace’s lead at nine.
Kaylee Patton and Kiersten Poor both scored late, and the Lady Lancers took a 23-11 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter Grace maintained their lead. Early points from Patton and Feldman threatened to blow the game open, but the Cougars mustered a response to keep the Lady Lancers within striking distance.
MVNU was unable to find an answer for McMahon who torched the MVNU defense for seven points in the quarter.
Peyton Murphy ended the half with a bucket to send the game into the half with the Lady Lancers leading 40-31.
At the half McMahon had nearly double-doubled with nine rebounds and nine points. Ryman and Feldman paced the Lady Lancers with 11 and 10 points respectfully.
Grace shot 48 percent from the floor compared to 41 percent from MVNU. Grace also shot a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe.
Grace went cold from the floor for the first three and a half minutes of the third quarter, which allowed MVNU to cut the lead to three.
McMahon scored to end the drought; then Poor and Feldman each found room in the paint to extend Grace’s lead.
The Lady Lancers ended the quarter on a 10-3 run. Poor, Feldman and Ryman all got in on the action as Grace entered the fourth quarter with a 52-42 lead.
As the fourth quarter started, Grace went on a run to put the game out of reach. The Lady Lancers started the quarter on a 11-4 charge, which was capped by a Ryman triple.
Grace led by 10-plus points the entire quarter and held on for the 68-58 win.
“We are really competing at a high level,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “They made a run in the third quarter, but our girls never let up and were able to put it away in the fourth. Seeing the improvement that our team has made from the first MVNU game shows that our hard work is paying off.”
Feldman led all players with 18 points, and she also added 11 rebounds. McMahon also double-doubled with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Ryman had 16 points, and Murphy contributed six points and five rebounds from the bench.
Grace shot 39 percent from the floor while holding MVNU to 33 percent. The Lady Lancers outscored the Cougars 34-20 in the paint.
The Cougars were forced into 18 turnovers which Grace turned into 13 points.
Grace will return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Indianapolis for a 7 p.m. showdown with No. 7 Marian.
Hot-Shooting Cougars Top Lancers
WINONA LAKE - Grace’s men’s basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting day, falling to Mt. Vernon Nazarene 83-75 on Saturday.
The No. 9 Lancers (18-4, 7-3 Crossroads League) shot just 4 of 20 (20 percent) on 3-pointers. Grace struggled mightily from the free throw line as well, making half of its attempts at 11 of 22.
Conversely, the Cougars (14-7, 5-5 CL) shot 49 percent overall from the floor and 50 percent on 3-pointers (10 of 20). MVNU also made 81 percent of its free throws (21 of 26).
The first half was a game of runs. Grace scored the first four points of the game thanks to a 3-pointer from Frankie Davidson.
The Cougars responded to grab a five-point edge, but Grace countered to regain the lead. Carter Stoltzfus buried a 3-pointer to earn a five-point edge, and a free throw by Jakob Gibbs put Grace on top 24-18.
But the Cougars seized control of the game with a 16-6 charge, burying four 3-pointers in the process.
Not long after, MVNU hit another triple followed by three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. With less than three minutes to play, Grace trailed by 10 at 40-30.
The Lancers managed to pull within six at halftime and trailed 45-39.
Ian Scott made all four of his field goals for a team-high nine points. Grace shot just 42 percent from the floor and 33 percent on 3-pointers. The Cougars shot 56 percent from the floor and 58 percent (7 of 12) on triples.
The Cougars turned the ball over 10 times, but MVNU did grab six more rebounds than Grace. Elijah Malone was limited to 4:51 of action after picking up two early fouls.
Brycen Graber gave Grace a boost to start the second half, making back-to-back buckets to help Grace quickly tie the score.
Malone also scored four quick points as Grace grabbed a 47-45 lead. The Cougars responded calmly, however, regaining the lead and eventually pulling ahead by nine with 9:50 remaining.
But Grace came charging back. The Lancers scored nine unanswered points, starting with an emphatic dunk by Davidson.
A score in the paint by Malone leveled the game at 66-66 with seven minutes on the clock. Malone dunked again a few minutes later to keep the score tied at 68-68.
Unfortunately for Grace, the Lancers went cold offensively over the next few minutes. Grace did not make another field goal for nearly three minutes.
The Cougars earned easy points at the free throw line during Grace’s struggles, opening up a seven-point edge at 76-69 with just over two minutes to play.
MVNU made seven free throws in the final minute to secure the upset over the No. 9 Lancers.
Jake Wadding led Grace in scoring with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Malone added 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
Scott finished with 11 points on 5 of 5 shooting, and Jakob Gibbs added seven points and three assists.
Davidson had nine points and six rebounds, and Graber also scored nine. Carter Stoltzfus had six points with three assists, Eddie Gill IV notched 6 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks, and Cade Gibbs had four points with three steals.
The Lancers are on the road next, playing at No. 16 Marian on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Grace To Host Katip Day On Saturday
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College athletic department is pleased to announce Katip Day on Saturday.
Grace will honor former Grace College and Seminary President Dr. Bill Katip and his wife Debbie on Saturday during the men’s basketball game.
The ceremony for the Katips will occur during halftime of the men’s game at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center. The game against rival Bethel is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. All fans will be given a free commemorative poster on Saturday.
Dr. Katip has been instrumental in the rising success of Grace’s athletic department since 2007. The school has added 13 full-time coaches and won seven additional national championships under Katip’s direction.
Last year, Grace was given the NCCAA Presidential Award for the first time, signifying the department as the most successful in the NCCAA during the 2020-21 school year.
This week, fans are encouraged to post on social media using the hashtag #KatipDay to share their favorite photos and memories of the Katips.
Grace’s men’s basketball squad is off to a hot start to the season; the team is currently ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. The Lancers tied the program record for best start in a season by winning their first 13 games.
Grace’s women’s basketball team also plays at home on Saturday, tipping off at 1 p.m. against Bethel.
With the win, the Lady Lancers (15-7, 5-5 Crossroads League) move into fifth place overall in the Crossroads League and are tied for the third-most wins.
Grace’s offense was in rhythm from the opening tip, scoring on its first four possessions. Maddie Ryman hit a 3-point shot, and Kenzie McMahon and Karlee Feldman each scored as the Lady Lancers established a 9-0 lead.
The Cougars (11-10, 5-4 CL) found offensive consistency soon after, but back-to-back scores from Feldman held Grace’s lead at nine.
Kaylee Patton and Kiersten Poor both scored late, and the Lady Lancers took a 23-11 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter Grace maintained their lead. Early points from Patton and Feldman threatened to blow the game open, but the Cougars mustered a response to keep the Lady Lancers within striking distance.
MVNU was unable to find an answer for McMahon who torched the MVNU defense for seven points in the quarter.
Peyton Murphy ended the half with a bucket to send the game into the half with the Lady Lancers leading 40-31.
At the half McMahon had nearly double-doubled with nine rebounds and nine points. Ryman and Feldman paced the Lady Lancers with 11 and 10 points respectfully.
Grace shot 48 percent from the floor compared to 41 percent from MVNU. Grace also shot a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe.
Grace went cold from the floor for the first three and a half minutes of the third quarter, which allowed MVNU to cut the lead to three.
McMahon scored to end the drought; then Poor and Feldman each found room in the paint to extend Grace’s lead.
The Lady Lancers ended the quarter on a 10-3 run. Poor, Feldman and Ryman all got in on the action as Grace entered the fourth quarter with a 52-42 lead.
As the fourth quarter started, Grace went on a run to put the game out of reach. The Lady Lancers started the quarter on a 11-4 charge, which was capped by a Ryman triple.
Grace led by 10-plus points the entire quarter and held on for the 68-58 win.
“We are really competing at a high level,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “They made a run in the third quarter, but our girls never let up and were able to put it away in the fourth. Seeing the improvement that our team has made from the first MVNU game shows that our hard work is paying off.”
Feldman led all players with 18 points, and she also added 11 rebounds. McMahon also double-doubled with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Ryman had 16 points, and Murphy contributed six points and five rebounds from the bench.
Grace shot 39 percent from the floor while holding MVNU to 33 percent. The Lady Lancers outscored the Cougars 34-20 in the paint.
The Cougars were forced into 18 turnovers which Grace turned into 13 points.
Grace will return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Indianapolis for a 7 p.m. showdown with No. 7 Marian.
Hot-Shooting Cougars Top Lancers
WINONA LAKE - Grace’s men’s basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting day, falling to Mt. Vernon Nazarene 83-75 on Saturday.
The No. 9 Lancers (18-4, 7-3 Crossroads League) shot just 4 of 20 (20 percent) on 3-pointers. Grace struggled mightily from the free throw line as well, making half of its attempts at 11 of 22.
Conversely, the Cougars (14-7, 5-5 CL) shot 49 percent overall from the floor and 50 percent on 3-pointers (10 of 20). MVNU also made 81 percent of its free throws (21 of 26).
The first half was a game of runs. Grace scored the first four points of the game thanks to a 3-pointer from Frankie Davidson.
The Cougars responded to grab a five-point edge, but Grace countered to regain the lead. Carter Stoltzfus buried a 3-pointer to earn a five-point edge, and a free throw by Jakob Gibbs put Grace on top 24-18.
But the Cougars seized control of the game with a 16-6 charge, burying four 3-pointers in the process.
Not long after, MVNU hit another triple followed by three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. With less than three minutes to play, Grace trailed by 10 at 40-30.
The Lancers managed to pull within six at halftime and trailed 45-39.
Ian Scott made all four of his field goals for a team-high nine points. Grace shot just 42 percent from the floor and 33 percent on 3-pointers. The Cougars shot 56 percent from the floor and 58 percent (7 of 12) on triples.
The Cougars turned the ball over 10 times, but MVNU did grab six more rebounds than Grace. Elijah Malone was limited to 4:51 of action after picking up two early fouls.
Brycen Graber gave Grace a boost to start the second half, making back-to-back buckets to help Grace quickly tie the score.
Malone also scored four quick points as Grace grabbed a 47-45 lead. The Cougars responded calmly, however, regaining the lead and eventually pulling ahead by nine with 9:50 remaining.
But Grace came charging back. The Lancers scored nine unanswered points, starting with an emphatic dunk by Davidson.
A score in the paint by Malone leveled the game at 66-66 with seven minutes on the clock. Malone dunked again a few minutes later to keep the score tied at 68-68.
Unfortunately for Grace, the Lancers went cold offensively over the next few minutes. Grace did not make another field goal for nearly three minutes.
The Cougars earned easy points at the free throw line during Grace’s struggles, opening up a seven-point edge at 76-69 with just over two minutes to play.
MVNU made seven free throws in the final minute to secure the upset over the No. 9 Lancers.
Jake Wadding led Grace in scoring with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Malone added 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
Scott finished with 11 points on 5 of 5 shooting, and Jakob Gibbs added seven points and three assists.
Davidson had nine points and six rebounds, and Graber also scored nine. Carter Stoltzfus had six points with three assists, Eddie Gill IV notched 6 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks, and Cade Gibbs had four points with three steals.
The Lancers are on the road next, playing at No. 16 Marian on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Grace To Host Katip Day On Saturday
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College athletic department is pleased to announce Katip Day on Saturday.
Grace will honor former Grace College and Seminary President Dr. Bill Katip and his wife Debbie on Saturday during the men’s basketball game.
The ceremony for the Katips will occur during halftime of the men’s game at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center. The game against rival Bethel is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. All fans will be given a free commemorative poster on Saturday.
Dr. Katip has been instrumental in the rising success of Grace’s athletic department since 2007. The school has added 13 full-time coaches and won seven additional national championships under Katip’s direction.
Last year, Grace was given the NCCAA Presidential Award for the first time, signifying the department as the most successful in the NCCAA during the 2020-21 school year.
This week, fans are encouraged to post on social media using the hashtag #KatipDay to share their favorite photos and memories of the Katips.
Grace’s men’s basketball squad is off to a hot start to the season; the team is currently ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. The Lancers tied the program record for best start in a season by winning their first 13 games.
Grace’s women’s basketball team also plays at home on Saturday, tipping off at 1 p.m. against Bethel.
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