SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Juaneice Jackson scored a game-high 30 points as Grace College’s women’s basketball team claimed a 64-55 victory at Crossroads League rival Spring Arbor Wednesday. The Lady Lancers trailed by three at halftime but rallied to outscore the Cougars 36-24 in the second half. “This was a great team victory. Spring Arbor played a great game and was back and forth with us the whole game,” said Grace head coach Scott Blum. “Our quicker lineup picked up the defense in the second half to get us the lead, and we were able to maintain it. Emily [Bidwell] shot well, and [Heather] House handled the ball well and put pressure on their point guard.” Spring Arbor claimed the first significant lead of the contest when it broke open a 13-13 deadlock to go ahead 23-17 with six minutes left in the first half. The Lady Lancers (16-9; 7-6 Crossroads League) managed to bring the deficit to one possession by halftime but still trailed 31-28 at the break. Grace’s defense picked up its intensity in the second half. The Lady Lancers forced 11 turnovers by the Lady Cougars (9-16; 3-10 CL) and nabbed seven steals after halftime. Grace shifted the game in its favor midway through the second half with a decisive 15-0 run. The Lady Lancers turned a five-point deficit into a 57-47 advantage with 4:52 to play. Jackson scored eight points during Grace’s run, and Sarah Feasby added four more. The Lady Cougars were not able to get within seven points of Grace over the final five minutes of action. Jackson topped 30 points for the second time in her career. She made 10 of 17 attempts from the field overall, 2 of 3 from beyond the arc and 8 of 9 from the charity stripe. Her six steals also tied a season-best. Bidwell, a Whitko High School product, made 7 of 8 shots for 14 points, Jayla Starks recorded five assists and five rebounds, and Allison Kauffman added seven points, five boards and three assists. Grace held a 34-30 advantage on the glass and tallied 13 assists on 24 made field goals. The Lady Lancers continue their Crossroads League season with four straight home games, starting against Goshen College Saturday at 1 p.m. Carlie Newman led Spring Arbor with 24 points, while Aimee Konkel chipped in with 12 points. Alex Glenn, a Warsaw Community High School grad, scored two points and had three rebounds and a blocked shot for the Lady Cougars.
