Joplin, MO – A motivated Grace Christian University women's basketball team hit the floor Thursday afternoon, exactly a year after their run came to a halt in 2020 due to COVID immediately after a big quarterfinal win. For the second straight season, the Tigers were able to take care of business in the Elite Eight, this time defeating a gritty Maranatha Baptist University team, 59-52.

After the Tigers developed a double-digit lead in the second quarter, the Sabercats went on a run to trim things to 31-26 at the break and the game remained close from there on out. When crunch time hit, the Tigers stepped up in a big way, with timely baskets from a barrage of players to ultimately solidify the win.

Defensively, the Tigers held the Sabercats to just 25% from the field, with Jada Reese and Ashley Hoek controlling the paint with 4 and 3 blocks, respectively. On the offensive end it was a collective effort, with Megan George leading the way with 12 points followed by 11 from Bre VanVleet and 10 from Jada Reese.

The Tigers will face #1 seed Arlington Baptist University Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm in the NCCAA Final Four - a rematch of the 2016 NCCAA DII Final Four.