IW downs Lancers

WINONA LAKE, Ind. — Iowa Wesleyan women's basketball added yet another win to their record on Tuesday night, downing (RV) Grace College in the thrilling victory 60-56.

The Tigers would get behind 8-4 early in the first quarter, but never wavered, ending the first quarter with a big 12-6 run to give them a 16-14 lead heading into the second.

The Tigers would extend their lead to five at 32-27, but Maddie Ryman and the Lancers would end the half on a 5-0 run to tie the game heading into the locker room at 32 all.

The Tigers and Lancers would trade buckets in a quiet third quarter, with each team taking shots throughout, but neither finding any leeway.

Megan Teal sunk a pair of free throws late in the quarter to give the Tigers a two point advantage going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter would see the Tigers extend their lead to eight at 56-48 with under five minutes left to play.

Ryman would make some big buckets down the stretch for the Lancers making the game just a one point margin, 57-56, in favor of the Tigers with 27 seconds left after an 8-1 run in the final minute.

Teal hit one of two from the stripe for the Tigers to extend the game to 58 to 56 with 24 seconds left.

The Lancers would look to feed the post but a steal by Isabell West and a foul by Kenzie McMahon would send West to the line to ice it.

West connected on both to seal it.

The Tigers outshot the Lancers from the field, 48.8 percent (21-43) to 32.2 percent (19-59). The Tigers also outshot the Lancers from beyond the arc, 55.6 percent (5-9) to 23.1 percent (6-26). The Tigers bench outscored the Lancers' bench, 11-7. The Tigers out-rebounded the Lancers 34 to 31, including 27 to 17 on the defensive glass.

With the win, the Tigers improve to 9-3 on the season and win their third straight. West led the Tigers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Kyla Moore and Breanna Wendland both added 12 a piece. Teal finished with nine points off the bench.

The win also marks Iowa Wesleyan head coach 274 win. That ties him with Olan Ruble, who coached the Tigers from 1943 to 1965, for most wins as the Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball coach, tallying 274 total wins.

The Tigers will be back in action on Dec. 29 and 30 at the Bellevue Classic in Bellevue, Nebraska where they will take on the host Bellevue Bruins and the Mayville State Vikings.

Game one against the Bruins at 12:30 p.m. and game two against the Vikings at 4:30 p.m. the following day.