By Seth Wesman
Sports Information Intern

GOSHEN, Ind.-- Sophia Sears scored a game-high 22 points and Lynnia Noel added 18 as the Goshen College women's basketball team defeated the visiting Lancers of Grace College 70-62 in Goshen's Gunden Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The Maple Leafs snapped a two-game skid with their seventh conference victory of the season.

While Sears and Noel led the offensive attack, Goshen (13-11, 7-5) also had double-digit point contests from Haley Archibeque and Calla Bartlett who each scored 11. Sears and Noel shared the team lead in assists with three each as Archibeque and Bartlett chipped in a pair. Angela McLean grabbed 6 rebounds to lead Goshen, with Noel and Archibeque each nabbing 5 boards.

The Leafs and Lancers (12-12, 7-5) traded runs throughout the game as Grace stormed back from a 19-8 deficit early to cut Goshen's lead to 19-18 at the end of the first quarter. Grace would then go on a run late in the second quarter to turn a six point deficit into a 30-29 lead at halftime. Goshen used a quick start to the third quarter to outscore Grace 43-30 in the final half to secure the victory. Archibeque put the game away with seven free throws in the final 1:03.

"Sophia and Lynnia had bounce-back performances tonight after a tough shooting night last week on the road. They really made us go tonight," said Goshen coach Stephanie Miller. It was great to see step-up performances from Calla, Donnae (Lipinski), and Haley as well. Calla shot the ball well tonight. Haley ran the floor well and put pressure on their defense, as well as hitting some big free throws for us down the stretch. Both also got on the glass and gave us some extra boards we needed. Donnae came in and played solid defense on Grace's top post while also chipping in with a number of little things. As a freshman, she's really starting to find her way."

Goshen rode a strong shooting performance, shooting 44.2 percent (23-of-52) from the field and 57.1 percent (8-for-14) from 3-point range as well as an 85.7 percent (18-of-21) mark from the free-throw line. Grace shot 36.7 percent (22-for-60) from the field and 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from downtown.

"After last week. it was important for us to decide whether we were going to get back in the fight or let things slip and lose concentration about the big picture," Miller said. "It's easy to talk about putting in emotionally consistent practices and games in October before you start. It's much more difficult to remember those goals when you're heading into February mentally and physically exhausted."

Sears drained 4 of 5 attempts from 3-point land with Noel adding 3 and Bartlett contributing the Leafs' other successful attempt.

Goshen outrebounded Grace 35-32 in a sloppy contest: each team turning the ball over 18 times, but only thrice per side in the last 20 minutes.

"We were pretty physically and mentally tough down the stretch while managing the fourth quarter well when we needed to," Miller said. "It sets us up for a fun rivalry game with Bethel on Wednesday. We hope to have a great home crowd advantage and that our fans and supporters come out in big numbers and all in purple.

Goshen will be back in action on Wednesday, February 1 when they host conference opponent Bethel College. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. on Purple Out Night.