WINONA LAKE – The Grace College  women’s basketball team improved to 6-1 in the nonleague portion of their schedule with a 61-58 win over No. 24 Union (Ky.) on Saturday in the KCCCF Optimist Classic.

The Lady Lancers used a game-high 17 points from Juaneice Jackson and 14 points from Emily Bidwell in the upset victory.

Grace opened up the game on a 15-6 run to take what turned out to be their largest lead of the game. Jayla Starks and Bidwell each scored five points in Grace’s opening spurt.

The Bulldogs (4-2) countered with a 16-4 run of their own. Union took a slight 28-27 advantage in the locker room at halftime.

Midway into the second half, Grace seized control of the game with an 11-1 run that was fueled by four points from Micah Pollard and five points from Bidwell.

The Lady Lancers built their second-half lead up to seven with the score 55-48 with 4:28 left on the clock.

Union battled back and had a chance to take a late lead at the free throw line. But with the score 59-58 in Grace’s favor, the Bulldogs misfired on both of their attempts with 13 seconds remaining. Juaneice Jackson was fouled on the rebound attempt and promptly made both shots.

Union had two looks at a game-tying 3-pointer but couldn’t connect on either shot as the Lady Lancers held on for the win.

Jackson’s 17 points included a 8-of-10 performance from the free throw line to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

Allison Kauffman recorded nine points and eight rebounds, and Starks finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Lady Lancers will resume play next week for the start of the Crossroads League season. Grace will travel to Mount Vernon Nazarene on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.