Lamoni, Iowa.— Spire Basketball answered a fourth-quarter challenge with nine unanswered points to defeat Graceland University 80-69 on Wednesday, November. 4, in Lamoni, Iowa.
A'Myah Bankston converted a steal into a tying layup early in the first quarter, and
Morgan Ruff's 3-pointer gave the Spires their first lead, 15-13, with 5:39 remaining.
Abby Wendte completed a three-point play a minute later for a 20-16 advantage. Graceland responded with a 13-1 run, capped by Griffits' 3-pointer, to finish the quarter ahead 29-21.
USM opened the second quarter with seven straight points, finishing with a Bankston layup that cut the deficit to one. After Graceland rebuilt a six-point cushion,
Keely Barnard contributed a steal and basket before Bankston tied the game at 41 with 3:53 remaining.
Maecy Hinkebein followed with a 3-pointer off Barnard's assist to put the Spires ahead for good.
Cady Huffman then blocked a layup and secured the rebound, and Wendte's basket completed a 9-0 run. The Spires outscored the Yellowjackets 25-14 in the quarter for a 46-43 halftime lead. Bankston scored all 15 of their points before halftime, finishing 7-of-12 from the field.
Riley Kerwin took over offensively in the third quarter, scoring 13 points and making three 3-pointers. Consecutive 3-pointers pushed the Spires advantage to 58-49. The Yellowjackets rallied to close the quarter down 65-59, then pulled within five when Hicks made one free throw with 9:18 remaining in the fourth.
Wendte answered with a layup to begin the decisive run. Barnard scored a put back after Kerwin's steal and missed layup, then added a 3-pointer off Wendte's assist. A Wendte steal led to Kerwin's basket for a 74-60 advantage with 6:44 left, the Spires largest lead. Graceland came no closer than 10 afterward. Kerwin finished with 18 points, all after halftime, and shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Barnard scored seven of their 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Wendte matched Kerwin with 18 points while adding 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Kate Harter supplied seven points and six rebounds, and Huffman also collected six rebounds. The Yellowjackets held a 36-35 rebounding edge, but the Spires outscored the home team 40-26 in the paint and 18-7 off turnovers. The Spires committed 11 turnovers to Graceland's 13 and shot 32-of-65, including 9-of-21 from 3-point range.
Bradley and Griffits led the Yellowjackets with 16 points apiece, while Tinoco added 14. USM held Graceland to 40.3% shooting and 10 fourth-quarter points. Barnard scored the Spires' final basket with 33 seconds remaining before Tinoco's put back with 12 seconds left established the final margin.
Coming Up...
USM women's Basketball will take one week before they are back in action for their first home match of the season. The Spires are set to face the Park University Pirates at 7 p.m. in the Ryan Sports Center on Wednesday, November 11.
