WYOMING, Mich. – Today at the Aldrich Athletic Center, the Grace Bible College Tigers defeated the visiting Mount Mary University basketball team 63-58. After trailing early, the Blue Angels (6-11) grabbed the lead in the third with the help of Rae Grubbs' three-point shot, but the Tigers (9-14) late push yielded a victory for GBC.
The Blue Angels took an 8-4 lead five minutes into the contest. The Tigers then turned up their defensive efforts and went on a 10-0 run to end the first quarter. The Blue Angels hit 3-of-13 from the field and 2-of-5 from outside the 3-point line in that opening frame.
MMU quickly surged in the second quarter and recaptured the lead following an 11-4 run. Back-to-back 3-point field goals by the Tigers gave GBC the lead back once more. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half and went into the locker rooms with the Tigers in front 29-25.
Clipping away at the lead, the Blue Angels continued to grind away to open the third quarter. The effort paid off when senior Becky Onan (Grafton, Wis.) hit a 3-point shot from the corner that gave MMU the 38-37 lead. The teams traded field goals until the end of the third, then a 3-point field goal from GBC's McKenzie McCord gave the Tigers the 42-40 lead.
Both teams turned up the offense in the final quarter. The Blue Angels grabbed the lead just one minute into the frame following a 3-point field goal from Rae Grubbs (So./Covington, Ind.). When the Tigers hit a response 3-pointer, Grubbs replicated the clutch shot to give MMU the lead once more.
GBC then went on an 18-10 run including 7-of-7 free throws by the Tigers that gave them the victory.
"Too many turnovers negated some really nice offensive performances," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf. "I think most times you can get two double-doubles AND someone else hitting seven three's (sic) you would be in pretty good shape."
Grubbs led the game's scoring with 21 points hitting an astonishing 7-of-9 from 3-point territory. The most 3-pointer field goals made in a single game since Jess Runge ('17) went 6-of-6 from 3-point territory against Andrews University on January 29, 2017.
Teammates Onan and Erica Williams (Fr./Bloomington, Ill.) both recorded double-doubles in points and rebounds. Onan scored 16 points with 10 rebounds while Williams finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
The Blue Angels return to action Wed. Feb. 7 at the Bloechl Center. MMU will take on Silver Lake College at 6:00 pm. Live stats and video will be available at mtmaryathletics.com.
