WINONA LAKE - Marian College pulled away from Grace College 76-69 on Saturday afternoon in women's basketball action in Lancer Gymnasium.
The game featured 14 ties and 11 eleven lead changes. But a late 16-4 charge by the Knights capped the victory for Marian as they improve their record to 10-16 overall and 4-11 in the Mid-Central Conference. Grace falls to 9-17 for the season and 1-13 in conference action.
Marian opened the contest with an 8-2 run in the games first four minutes. But the Lancers countered with an 18-6 run to capture a 20-14 advantage with 10 minutes and 36 seconds remaining in the half.
The Knights chipped away at the Lancer lead over the next four and a half minutes to tie the score at 24-24 with 6:17 left in the half. The rest of the half was highlighted by seven ties and two lead changes. Two late free throws by Grace sophomore center Jade Januseski gave the Lancers a 39-37 lead as the teams headed to the locker rooms. Januseski ended the game with eight points.
The first five and a half minutes of the second half showcased Grace capturing their largest lead of the half as a layup by freshman forward Demetria Eley handed Grace a 49-44 advantage. Eley finished the game with 10 points.
Marian answered with five consecutive points to knot the score at 49-49 with 13:05 remaining on the clock. The Knights regained the lead and built a five point advantage of their own at 58-53 with 9:04 left.
This time Grace responded by scoring the next six points to retake a lead at 59-58 with 7:53 showing on the clock. But a three-point basket by Marianís Whitney Frame awarded Marian with a 61-59 lead. The basket started the 16-4 run by the Knights which ultimately doomed the Lancers.
Grace was led in scoring by senior guard Kami Hilliker with 17 points. Freshman guard Carey Magnuson and junior guard Heidi Messer each chipped in with 12 points.
The Lancers return to the court at 7 p.m. on Wednesday as Grace travels to Mishawaka, Indiana to battle conference foe Bethel College.
