Ryman’s career-high night leads Grace
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – A career-high performance from Maddie Ryman lifted Grace’s women’s basketball team to a 70-55 win over Bethel on Monday night.
Ryman scored a career-best 28 points, including 20 before halftime, to lift the Lady Lancers (9-5, 1-4 Crossroads League).
Monday’s victory extends Grace’s winning streak to six straight games, equaling the longest winning streak in program history (tied with the 1998-99 season).
Grace’s defense was relentless, forcing Bethel into 31 turnovers. The Pilots (4-7, 0-4 CL) also shot just 30 percent from the floor and 26 percent on triples.
Bethel, who ranks No. 18 in the NAIA with almost 84 points per game on average, was held to 29 points below their season average.
The Lady Lancers implemented their style of play immediately against the Pilots. In the face of Grace’s aggressive defense, Bethel committed six turnovers in the first six minutes.
Ryman sparked Grace’s attack at the beginning; she scored Grace’s first eight points and finished with 16 points in the first quarter.
Ryman outscored Bethel by herself in the quarter as Grace led 24-13. The Lady Lancers forced Bethel into 12 turnovers in the period, more than one per minute on average.
Grace’s defense was still sharp in the second quarter, but the Lady Lancers’ offense slowed. Grace made just one of its nine 3-point tries in the frame.
The Lady Lancers held a commanding 38-26 lead at halftime. Grace shot 42 percent from the floor and held Bethel to 27 percent.
Ryman’s 20 points led all players in scoring, and Kyannah Stull added eight points.
The Pilots managed to keep the score close in the third quarter and even cut Grace’s margin down to eight with three minutes remaining in the quarter.
Kiersten Poor and Stull scored on Grace’s first two possessions of the fourth quarter, and Grace never let Bethel threaten again. The Pilots trailed by as many as 17 points down the stretch as Grace coasted to the win.
Kamryn Hostetler scored eight of Grace’s final nine points, including a pair of 3-pointers, to keep the Pilots’ hopes crushed.
Ryman added five rebounds and three steals to her 28 points. Stull amassed 12 points, 7 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals, and Hostetler added 11 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Poor scored 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, Kaylie Warble had six points and a game-high nine boards, and Kenzie McMahon added 2 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
Grace shot 39 percent from the floor and 21 percent from the 3-point line.
“What stood out tonight was how well we defended. We did a really good job in our press and in our halfcourt to take away some of the things they do well,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “The first quarter we really came out, and Maddie was on fire. We didn’t shoot well consistently, but we defended well consistently.”
The Lady Lancers continue league play on Wednesday, playing at Indiana Wesleyan at 7 p.m.
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