Allison Kauffman poured in a career-high 31 points Monday night to lead Grace to a win in Florida (File photo by Jeff Nycz)

MIAMI, Fla. – A career night from senior Allison Kauffman lifted the Grace College  women’s basketball team to a 64-54 win at Johnson & Wales on Monday night.

Kauffman ripped off a career-best 31 points on 13-of-21 shooting, rounding out her memorable evening with 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Grace held the Wildcats (4-5) to 30 percent shooting for the game. The Lady Lancers (7-6) also tied a season-low with nine turnovers in an efficient performance in Florida.

The Lady Lancers jumped out to a 16-5 lead after tipoff to set the tone for Monday’s game. Kelsie Peterson opened the game’s scoring with a 3-pointer, and Grace did not trail the rest of the way.

Grace went into the halftime break with a 32-22 advantage. Grace assisted on eight of its 12 made shots in the first period and held Johnson & Wales to a paltry 29 percent from the floor.

Kauffman flexed her muscles in the second half. The All-American senior netted 21 of Grace’s 32 second-half points, making 9-of-11 from the floor.

Grace led by as many as 19 points after halftime at 56-37 with 6:20 remaining. The Lady Lancers coasted to the final buzzer, winning comfortably by 10 points.

Both squads struggled to find production away from their starting five. Heather House’s two points were the only points scored off the bench by either team. The Wildcats did hold a plus-nine advantage in rebounds thanks to 23 offensive boards, but poor shooting by the home team (21-of-70) was too much for Johnson & Wales to overcome.

Peterson netted 10 points, 4 assists and 2 steals, and Lindsey Schaefer had eight points and seven rebounds. Gabby Bryant tallied 8 points, 5 boards and 3 assists, and Darian Patton added five points and five assists. JWU’s Diamond Williams scored 21 to lead the Wildcats.

Grace concludes its trip to the Sunshine State with a game Tuesday at St. Thomas at 6 p.m.