Lady Lancers Tie National Record In Win Over League Foe
Posted
Josh Neuhart-
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Allison Kauffman’s 23 points powered Grace College’s women’s basketball team to an 81-60 win at Crossroads League foe Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Wednesday. The 21-point win also featured a record-breaking 28-of-28 effort from the free throw line by the Lady Lancers (11-10, 4-5 CL). The perfect performance at the charity stripe set Grace’s program record. It also tied the NAIA national record, which Sterling (Kan.) set in 2001. Kelsie Peterson paced Grace’s free throw brilliance by hitting all 10 of her attempts. Kauffman and Heather House each went 6 of 6, Sarah Feasby was 4 of 4 and Lindsey Schaefer was 2 of 2 to complete Grace’s flawless night at the line. Grace’s defense held the Cougars (4-14, 1-8 CL) to 30 points in each half, forcing MVNU into 20 turnovers for the game. Feasby sparked Grace early on with six points, helping the visitors to an 8-2 lead. Grace’s pressing defense gave the Cougars fits for much of the half, producing 15 turnovers. Grace opened up a 15-point lead late in the half at 41-26, but the Cougars finished the period with four quick points. Grace went into break ahead 41-30. The Lady Lancers benefited with 16 points off Mt. Vernon’s turnovers. Peterson netted 12 points in the first half, and Kauffman had 10. Three minutes into the second half, the Lady Lancers blew the game open with a 10-2 run, thanks to six more points from Kauffman. Mt. Vernon did not come within single digits of Grace’s lead the rest of the game. The Cougars trimmed their deficit to 12 with 5:09 left in the contest, but Kauffman responded with a three-pointer on the next possession. Grace’s defense then took over, holding Mt. Vernon without a made field goal for the final five minutes of play. Kauffman notched a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Peterson finished with 16 points, and House added 10 points and two steals off the bench. Micah Pollard had a career-high five steals and three assists, Gabby Bryant tallied eight points, five assists and two steals, and Schaefer added six points and eight boards. Makenzie Spang led the Cougars with 13 points, while Kate Walls and Ainsleigh Krause chipped in with 10 points each. The Lady Lancers will return to the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game against Taylor.
