Moberly, MO - The Grace Christian University Women's Basketball team went on the road over the weekend to Moberly Missouri for their first official action of the 2024-25 season. WIth a couple of key returners and some really solid newcomers the Tigers have high expectations for this season!

Their first action was against the Saints from Central Christian College of the Bible. The Tigers got off to a really strong start taking a 29-27 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the second half both teams picked up right where they left off, as the scoring went back and forth with the third quarter ending in a 48-48 tie. 

Unfortunately the Saints would gain the momentum in the fourth quarter and never look back. The Saints went on to outscore the Tigers 25-11 and close out a 73-59 win. 

Despite the loss there were several positives from the night. Freshman Sierra Fonseca led the Tigers in scoring with 18 points, while sophomore Jessi Calizo followed right behind with 17 points of her own, and senior Julia Schultz collected 12 rebounds on the day.

In the second matchup of the weekend the Tigers took on the Manhattan Christian College Thunder. The Tigers looked to bounce back quickly and pick up where they left off offensively in game one. 

The Tigers would gain the momentum early finishing the first quarter up 16-4, and entered the half with a 25-15 lead. The Tigers would go on to fight hard and hang on to the lead in the last few minutes of regulation, sealing a 54-48 victory to earn their first win of the season. 

The Tigers were led offensively by Freshman Sierra Fonseca who shot 6-14 from beyond the arc, and finished the day with a career high 25 points. Sophomore Jessi Calizo led the way defensively with 12 rebounds on the afternoon. 

"This was a really strong start to our season," said Grace second year head coach Dennis Graham, "I am really proud of the way we competed in both games this weekend, and especially with how we bounced back after game one." 

The Tigers then had their home opener the following Tuesday against University of Northern Ohio. Despite some highlights such as Sierra Fonseca dropping a career-high 27 points, the Tigers fell to the undefeated Racers 116-56.

Grace's next matchup comes Friday at home against Calumet Collehge of St Josephs at 5:30pm.