Kiara Gill and Grace won its fifth straight game Friday against Trinity International. Photo provided

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s basketball team began the 2021 calendar year the same way it ended 2020: winning big.

The Lady Lancers (8-5) picked up their fifth straight victory, routing Trinity International 90-61 on New Year’s Day on Friday.

During Grace’s five-game winning streak, the team is averaging 82 points per game and outscoring opponents by 25 points per game.

The Lady Lancers used balanced scoring and a suffocating defensive effort to win on Friday. Ten players scored at least four points for Grace, and the team forced the Trojans (1-2) into 25 turnovers.

Kaylee Patton had a memorable outing. She was nearly perfect from the floor, shooting 6 of 7 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the 3-point line; Patton tallied 17 points to go along with two rebounds and a blocked shot.

Grace seized control of the game midway into the first quarter. TIU held a small 6-4 lead, but Grace rattled off 12 unanswered points, almost solely scored by Patton.

The freshman started Grace’s run with back-to-back triples. She later added two free throws and another trey to put the Lady Lancers on top 16-6.

Patton finished with 12 points in the first quarter, outscoring the Trojans by herself in the period.

The second quarter was played evenly until the final two minutes. Grace ripped off 10 straight points in the closing minutes, earning a commanding 39-21 lead at halftime.

Kate Rulli came off the bench to score four of those points down the stretch, and Kamryn Hostetler hit a 3-pointer.

Grace turned the ball over 13 times but also forced TIU into 15 turnovers. The Lady Lancers had 11 assists on 14 made field goals.

The third quarter was a dominant display from Grace. The Lady Lancers outscored TIU 31-16 in the 10-minute period.

Kiersten Poor was unstoppable, producing 16 points in the third thanks to a trio of 3-pointers.

The Lady Lancers maintained a 30-point cushion for most of the final quarter, pushing the lead to as high as 43 in the rout.

Poor had 6 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals to go along with her 16 points, and Sarah O’Day shot 5 of 7 to finish with 10 points, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Kiara Gill scored nine points off the bench, and Kaylie Warble tallied 7 points, 6 boards and 3 assists.

Maddie Ryman notched 7 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds, Kyannah Stull had 6 points, 6 boards and 1 blocked shot, and Hostetler finished with eight points and five assists.

Grace shot 49 percent from the floor and 46 percent on 3-pointers (12 of 26).

“Over these last few games, our team is starting to find our groove and our identity. We are playing our brand of ball on both sides of the floor,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “You can see our freshmen figuring things out. Developing depth on our team will continue to be huge in our growth as a team.”

The Lady Lancers are home again on Monday as they resume Crossroads League play. Grace hosts Bethel at 7 p.m.