Grand Rapids, MI – The Grace Christian University women's basketball team opened their season across town Thursday, facing the Golden Eagles of Cornerstone University. 

After a lackluster first quarter that saw Cornerstone develop a 15 point lead, the Tigers recovered a little bit to trim their deficit to 37-28 heading into the halftime break.  The Tigers remained within striking distance for a majority of the second half, but never made it over the hump, eventually falling 74-56.

Sophomore Bre Harris led Grace with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals before fouling out late in the game.  Ashley Hoek led the Tigers with 9 rebounds.

Grace Head Coach CB Long spoke on the team's first outing.

"In our season opener, we came out of the gates a little slower than we all hoped we might.  Statistically, we were not very good, giving up 23 turnovers, and 35 points off of those turnovers.  We also gave up 17 points on fast break, while recording zero ourselves. Going into the game we planned to run run run, and it seemed we couldn't do that.  Out rebounded, out scored and out done in almost every category on a stat sheet.  The areas that are not able to be documented/measured is our energy, our heart.  I believe after a sluggish start, we showed heart through energy for the rest of the game.  As a coach, you know you can build on that.  And we will build on it, each game, each day, until we are better."

The Tigers have an immediate opportunity to bounce back, returning to the court today at 5:00 pm in their home opener against Asbury College (KY).