TU Scores 40 Second-Half Points in Loss at Grace

WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team found its groove offensively in the second half of an 89-68 loss Wednesday evening at Grace.

Kacey Ott keyed much of the offensive uptick, running the floor hard and getting good looks in the paint as part of a 5-for-5 shooting night from the floor. Ott scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in the fourth quarter alone.

TU struggled to get stops throughout the night, however, partly due to being outrebounded 43-27 and surrendering 16 second-half points to the Lancers (10-13, 3-10 CL).

The first few minutes of Wednesday's contest tilted the Trojans' way, as Ava Henson hit three jumpers, two of which came from beyond the arc, in an opening 11-4 Taylor burst.

Grace responded by turning up the activity in the paint and hitting its outside shots. The hosts would not relent any time soon, as GC took a 44-28 lead into the intermission.

Whitney Warfel was able to stem the tide after checking in midway through the third period. The forward connected on a triple shortly before and after the start of the fourth quarter that kept the Trojans within 20.

Ott's strong fourth quarter was not enough to threaten the Lancers' advantage, though, even with increased numbers in the stats and blocks column for TU's defense.

Henson scored 15 points to lead the Purple and Grey. Warfel, Emma Fohl and Kacey Ott joined the graduate guard in double figures.

Taylor's starting lineup had a good night from three-point land, shooting 8-of-19 with a trio of threes from Warfel, and two each from Henson and Kendall Wayne. Fohl made the other trey and dished out seven assists, while reserves Katie Moyer and Maycee Woods had two assists apiece.

Defensively, Warfel notched a career-high four steals and Fohl added three more. The Trojans combined for five blocks, two of which were swatted away by Ott.

TU (6-17, 1-12 CL) plays Spring Arbor (15-8, 8-5) for Senior Day on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Senior Day ceremony is slated to begin 10 minutes before tipoff.