WINONA LAKE – Juaneice Jackson continued her outstanding junior campaign with 24 points in a losing effort against No. 3 Saint Francis on Saturday. Jackson set the Grace College women’s basketball program’s record for most points in a season, but her production was not enough as the Lady Cougars (25-3; 14-2 Crossroads League) pulled away for a 64-56 victory over the Lady Lancers. With a steal and breakaway layup just over five minutes into the contest, Jackson recorded her 510th point of the season. That mark broke the existing record for most single-season points, previously held by Cheryl Myers in 1991-92 (508 points). Overall, Grace’s defense gave Saint Francis fits in the first half. The Lady Cougars, who average more than 70 points per game, were limited to two points over the first 7:22 of action. The Lady Lancers (18-10; 9-7 CL), on the other hand, grabbed a 12-2 advantage behind four points apiece from Allison Kauffman and Jackson. The Lady Cougars employed a fullcourt press for the duration of the first half, forcing the Lady Lancers into 11 turnovers. Saint Francis tied the game 20-20 late in the half before Grace pulled away in the final minute. Emily Bidwell converted a bucket in the paint in the waning seconds to hand the Lady Lancers a 29-24 halftime lead. Grace’s offense went cold in the early portions of the second half as it managed just one point over the first six possessions. Saint Francis claimed its first lead of the game at that point, 34-30. Jackson poured in four unanswered points to lead the Lady Lancers back on top by two points with 13:33 to play. But the Lady Cougars slowly pulled away from the Lady Lancers with a 20-7 run over the next 10 minutes, and Grace was unable to muster another push before the final horn. As a team, Grace finished with 22 turnovers to nullify their plus-eight advantage in rebounding. The Lady Lancers made 41 percent from the floor and 5 of 10 from the foul line. Jackson’s 24 points came with a trio of three-pointers and a career-best seven steals. Kauffman recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jayla Starks filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, two steals and two points. The Lady Lancers, who sit in a tie for fourth place in the Crossroads League, will host third-place Bethel Wednesday at 7 p.m. Grace will honor the senior trio of Rianne Aguilar, Starks and Bidwell.
