MARION, Ind. -- Grace (Ind.) College missed a pair of shots in the final five seconds as No. 8-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University women's basketball escaped with a 55-54 victory inside Luckey Arena on Wednesday night.

With nine seconds remaining and Indiana Wesleyan holding the one point lead, Grace senior guard Autumn Heflin received the inbounds pass and would launch a 3-pointer that was off the mark. Grace junior guard Hannah Lengel collected the rebound and also earned an attempt at the game-winner, but that shot did not drop as Grace collected the final rebound by junior forward Hayley Cashier. She was unable to get a third shot attempt off as IWU survived for the win.

Neither team opened the game with any flow on the offensive end. Wildcat junior guard Rachel Steinbarger drilled a 3-pointer for the first points of the game with four minutes and 20 seconds already off the clock.

Indiana Wesleyan (18-3, 7-1 MCC) held a 6-2 lead when senior forward Elaine Hessel finished an old-fashion 3-point play with 14:53 left in the half. The tide would turn though over the next six minutes of the game.

Grace (12-9, 3-5 MCC) reeled off the next 11 points as Indiana Wesleyan was held without a field for just under six minutes. IWU junior center Krystal Stoneking finally put the ball in the bucket for Indiana Wesleyan to break the run. But Grace hit 3-point baskets on back-to-back possessions and when the dust settled Grace was holding a 19-8 lead with eight minutes left before the half.

But the Wildcats took control of the game the rest of the first half.

Senior forward LeAnn Douglas hit a field goal which would be the first of four straight possessions that the Wildcats would score. Junior guard Stephanie Burtch hit a 3-pointer on the last of the possessions to bring the Wildcats to within two points at 19-17 with 4:15 left in the half.

Following the sixth 3-pointer in the half for Grace, Indiana Wesleyan scored nine of the final 11 points before halftime. During the stretch senior guard Kayla Thompson connected on a pair of 3-pointers.

Following the 11 point deficit, Indiana Wesleyan completed the half on an 18-5 run to take a 26-24 lead into halftime.

The teams swapped the lead four times in the first eight minutes of the second half as neither team led by more than three points. IWU sophomore forward Lyzz Smith scored down low for the last of the four lead changes as Indiana Wesleyan held a 34-33 lead with 11:44 remaining.

Indiana Wesleyan increased their advantage to a game-high nine points when Stoneking scored in the post for a 46-37 lead at 7:32. But Indiana Wesleyan was unable to push the lead to double digits and Grace made one final push.

With 3:03 on the clock, Grace freshman Jauneice Jackson stroked a 3-pointer that tied the game 51-51. Indiana Wesleyan quickly regained the lead with a Hessel basket on the next possession, but Grace responded with a 3-pointer by junior guard Kate Ball to give the Lancers a 54-53 lead with 2:11 to go.

After empty possessions by both teams, Steinbarger was fouled with 1:14 on the clock. She hit both free throws for the 55-54 advantage.

Grace could not retake the lead on their next possession. Indiana Wesleyan had a chance to extend the precarious one point lead but the shot fell short. Grace collected the rebound with 15 seconds left which set up the final two shots that did not fall for the Lancers.

Hessel was the lone Wildcat in double figures tonight with 17 points. Thompson dished out a career-high 11 assists while Lyzz Smith added a career-best nine points in addition to five rebounds.

Indiana Wesleyan will next play at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 22 at Luckey Arena versus Grant County rival Taylor (Ind.) University. The game will be a ?White Out' as Wildcat fans are encouraged to wear white to the game to support the women's basketball team.