SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – For the second time this season, Spring Arbor got the better of Grace College’s women's basketball team. The Lady Lancers (13-12, 6-7 Crossroads League) struggled in a major way offensively on Wednesday night and fell 61-52. Grace shot 29 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 20 times in the loss. Grace's offensive problems started in the first half, but the Lady Lancers still battled to keep the score close. Two free throws from Lindsey Schaefer lifted Grace to an early 11-8 lead, but the Cougars (7-17, 2-11 CL) rattled off 11 unanswered points over the next four minutes to establish an eight-point edge. Allison Kauffman and Sarah Feasby powered a Grace spurt at that point. The frontcourt duo combined for nine points during an 11-2 run as Grace went back in front 22-21 late in the half. But the Cougars squeezed in seven points over the final 1:36 to take a 28-24 lead into the halftime locker room. As it turned out, Grace did not come within four points of Spring Arbor's lead the rest of the game. The Cougars gradually opened up a double-digit lead in the second half and coasted to the nine-point win. For the game, Grace could not find its shooting touch, shooting 29 percent from the floor, 20 percent on three-pointers and 67 percent on free throws. The Lady Lancers did enjoy a plus-17 advantage in rebounding thanks to hauling in an impressive 23 offensive boards. Grace scored nearly half of its points (25) off second-chance opportunities. Kauffman and Feasby each notched double-doubles in defeat. Kauffman registered 13 points with 11 rebounds, and Feasby had 10 points and a career-high 14 boards. Schaefer made all seven of her free throws en route to nine points, and Gabby Bryant added nine points with three assists. Kylie Townsley led Spring Arbor with a game-high 21 points, while Jessica Mabry scored 11 points and Lindsey Burnside and Karly Bender chipped in with eight and seven points, respectively. The Lady Lancers will face a stiff test on Saturday when they travel to No. 9 St. Francis for a 1 p.m. matchup. Grace upset the then-No. 7 Cougars 81-71 on Jan. 10. The women's game at USF will be followed by the men's Grace/USF game in Fort Wayne at 3 p.m.
