Kendall Wayne and Warsaw couldn’t keep pace with Penn Tuesday night at The Palace. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

PENN GIRLS 61, WARSAW 30

Warsaw kept pace with the No. 2-ranked Penn side for a quarter, but the hosts ran away in the second quarter and never looked back.

Penn went on a 19-6 run in the second quarter, taking what was just an 8-6 Kingsmen lead and turning it into a 15-point halftime advantage. Ensuring there would be no rally, Penn outscored Warsaw 18-9 in the third quarter.

Warsaw (4-1) was just 3-14 shooting in the first half and shot just 31 percent overall for the night. Ava Wetzel would end up leading Warsaw with seven points in five mop-up minutes in the second half. Warsaw’s starters were a combined 5-24 from the floor and had 17 points.

Trinity Clinton led the Kingsmen with 22 points, Jordyn Smith had 11 points and Kaitlyn Costner added eight points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

MARIAN WOMEN 91, GRACE 51

Grace’s women’s basketball team dropped its first game of the year 91-51 at No. 3 Marian.

The Lady Lancers were playing just their third game of the year; it was the first time on the court for Grace in nearly a month (Oct. 28).

Kyannah Stull was a bright spot offensively for the Lady Lancers (2-1, 0-1 Crossroads League). She scored 21 points to go along with eight rebounds, drilling four 3-pointers.

Grace struggled to score against the defense of the Knights (6-2, 2-0 CL). The Lady Lancers shot 31 percent from the floor while turning the ball over 28 times.

The first quarter was Grace’s best offensively, shooting 47 percent from the floor. But the Lady Lancers lost the ball five times and gave up nine offensive rebounds, falling behind 25-16.

The Knights quickly opened up a double-digit lead in the second quarter and pulled ahead 48-33 by halftime.

During the second half, Grace’s shooting touch disappeared. The Lady Lancers only made four field goals in the second half, including a 1 for 10 shooting performance in the fourth quarter.

Grace was muted to six points in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Grace got to the foul line and made nine free throws.

Maddie Ryman scored 11 points off the bench, shooting 4 of 5 from the floor.

Kiersten Poor had seven points and five rebounds, and Kaylie Warble had two points and nine boards. Sarah O’Day nabbed three steals, and Kiara Gill scored four points.

“It’s a tough game after not playing in 28 days and having three practices to get ready. Give Marian credit. They came out and showed who they are as the No. 3 team in the nation,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “We were out of sync on offense and defense. But I’m thankful we are back and playing. We will learn from it and improve quickly from the tape. We are ready to get back on the court and play. We are excited about this team and this season.”

The Lady Lancers’ next game is Monday at IU Kokomo. Grace’s home opener is set for Dec. 5 against Bethel.