Micaela Box scored nine points in a loss at Asbury Monday afternoon. (File photo courtesy Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images)

WILMORE, KY. – In a matchup against teams getting votes in the NAIA Top 25, Grace’s women’s basketball team lost 96-85 at Asbury on Monday.

The Lady Lancers led throughout the first half, but a strong second half from the Eagles (13-2) propelled Asbury to a win.

Grace committed just 11 turnovers in the game and also forced Asbury into 24 turnovers. But the Lady Lancers (11-4) struggled with their shooting touch.

Grace shot 35 percent from the floor and were only 27 percent (10-of-37) on 3-pointers.

Monday’s game started Grace’s way as the Lady Lancers were sharp from long range. Grace hit four 3-pointers in the first five minutes, including two from Kyannah Stull, to pull ahead 17-7.

As the first quarter ended, Grace found itself in front 25-15. That proved to be Grace’s best offensive quarter, however.

Asbury responded with a 29-point outburst in the second quarter. The Eagles caught fire to end the half, drilling four triples over the final 1:45.

Grace still led 46-44 at halftime despite Asbury’s furious ending to the half.

Grace came up empty on its first four possessions of the second half, and Asbury took advantage to grab the lead.

The Eagles ended the third quarter with another trey, seizing a 68-65 lead entering the last stanza.

Grace endured another scoring slump to start the fourth quarter. The Lady Lancers scored just four points over the first 4:38 of the period.

Asbury during that time scored 19 points, racing ahead to an 18-point edge with 5:44 remaining.

Grace valiantly came back, slicing Asbury’s cushion down to eight with two minutes to play, but the Lady Lancers ran out of time.

Vironnica Drake and Kamryn Hostetler each had a double-double. Drake had 19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, and Hostetler had 15 points, 10 boards and 3 assists.

Stull finished with 12 points and three assists, and Brooke Treadway added 15 points, 7 boards and 4 steals.

Micaela Box scored nine points, Maddie Ryman had seven points, and Kaylie Warble added six points.

The Lady Lancers resume Crossroads League play after the New Year, traveling to No. 5 Marian on Saturday at 1 p.m.