WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s women’s basketball team picked up its third win in a row in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, topping Marian 77-74 in overtime at the Orthopaedic Capital Center. Lindsey Schaefer scored a career-high 20 points, and Juaneice Jackson continued her offensive wizardry with 29 points to lead the Lady Lancers (18-9; 9-6 Crossroads League). Grace started quickly, taking an 11-4 lead into the first media timeout. Marian’s bench, which scored half of the team’s points in the first half, slowly began to chip away at Grace’s lead. The Lady Knights tied the score at 19-19 and took a 30-29 advantage into halftime. Despite 15 first-half points from Jackson and 10 from Schaefer, Grace hurt its cause with 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. The second half swung Grace’s direction when it produced an 11-2 spurt. Jackson’s three-pointer with 8:26 to play gave the Lady Lancers their largest lead of the night at 54-47. Marian’s three-point shooting kept the team in contention, however, as the Lady Knights buried three triples after that point. The last trey for Marian broke a 63-63 deadlock with 41 seconds to play. Allison Kauffman, who scored all 15 of her points in the second half, came through to save the day for Grace. She produced two free throws and, after Marian made 1 of 2 from the foul line, received a pass from Jackson and scored to tie the game with seven seconds to play. The Lady Knights were unable to get a shot off before the end of regulation. Marian took a five-point lead immediately into the overtime period, but Grace clawed its way back as Schaefer made 6 of 6 from the free throw line in overtime. Her final two charity tosses put Grace ahead 75-74 with 50 seconds to play. Jackson then stole the ball on Marian’s ensuing possession and was fouled, making one shot to extend the Lady Lancers’ lead. Trailing by two points, Marian decided to go for the win on its next possession but came up empty on a pair of three-point attempts. Jackson pulled down the rebound and made another free throw with three seconds remaining to ice the season sweep of the Lady Knights. Jackson’s 29 points came with five rebounds, four assists and three steals. She has scored at least 20 points in nine of Grace’s 12 contests since Jan. 1. Schaefer made 8 of 9 from the free throw line en route to her career-high 20 points, and Jayla Starks produced eight points and 12 rebounds. The Lady Lancers are currently in fourth place in the Crossroads League standings with three games left in the regular season. Grace hosts No. 3 Saint Francis Saturday at 1 p.m. before playing No. 15 Bethel and Taylor next week. Adrienne Sahm led Marian with 18 points, while Lakan Hasser-Smith and Faith Reece scored 16 and 12 points, respectively.
