MARION, IND — Indiana Wesleyan Women's Basketball fell in a close battle with Grace on Saturday, dropping the contest 90-80 in Luckey Arena. The Wildcats outscored the Lancers 40-16 in the paint and 26-8 in points off the bench. Kylie Bettinger put together a strong performance in the loss, scoring a career high 24 points. She knocked down 6 triples, also a career high. Four of those threes came on 4/4 shooting in fourth quarter which sparked a Wildcat run that ultimately came up short.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Ind. | Luckey Arena
- Records: IWU: 9-8, 3-4 | GC: 9-8, 1-6
- NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - RV | GC - NR
FIRST QUARTER
- The Wildcats capitalized on the Lancers' early turnover with an Ayla Krygier layup at 9:31 to open the scoring.
- Grace responded with a 3-pointer by Maddy Poynter at 8:36, assisted by Morganne Houk, briefly taking a lead.
- Kylie Bettinger hit a key 3-pointer at 6:01, assisted by Jayd Hovey, to regain the lead.
- Grace's Emma Sperry tied the game at 24 with a 3-pointer at 1:15, but the red and grey's fast-break layup by Bettinger at 0:28 evened the score at 26–26 heading into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
- Indiana Wesleyan started strong with Emily Mattingly's steal and fast-break layup at 9:43.
- GC capitalized on free throws, with Poynter tying the game at 31 with a pair at 9:04.
- The red and grey built a 6-point lead at 7:40 with Addi Hovey's layup, assisted by Jayd Hovey.
- Grace closed the quarter with a decisive 3-pointer by Morganne Houk at 1:05, leading to a 47–43 advantage at halftime.
THIRD QUARTER
- Indiana Wesleyan briefly took the lead with a 3-pointer by Bettinger at 9:38, assisted by Addi Hovey.
- Grace responded with consecutive 3-pointers, including one by Sperry at 8:05, to extend their lead.
- Krygier scored three layups in the paint, tying the game at 6:03 before Grace regained control.
- GC closed the quarter strong with a 9-point lead, ending at 65-58.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Bettinger connected on three 3-pointers, including at 7:55, narrowing Grace's lead to 68–67.
- The Lancers responded with a 7–0 run, highlighted by a Bekah Longenbaugh 3-pointer at 5:10, to extend their lead.
- The Wildcats' Jayd Hovey scored a layup at 4:40 and completed a three-point play, but GC maintained their lead.
- Grace sealed the game with clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes, winning 90–80.
KEY WILDCATS
LOOKING AHEAD
- The Wildcats are on the road, facing #5 Marian on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
- Links for video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com
NEXT HOME GAME
- The Wildcats don't return to Luckey Arena until January 28th, facing Taylor at 5:00 PM.
- Tickets can be purchased at IWUWildcats.com
- Links for video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com
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