HAVILAND – Wayne Trace evened its record at 8-8 on the season Tuesday evening as the Lady Raiders posted a 41-34 victory over visiting Heritage (IN) in non-league girls basketball action.

The Lady Raiders opened a quick 7-0 advantage, getting baskets by Harper Myers and Lexi Moore along with a trey from Caroline Winans.

Heritage, though, would answer with a trio of baskets from senior Claire Bickel to pull within 7-6 at the end of one period.

Wayne Trace expanded the lead in the second stanza, picking up a 13-point quarter in pushing the advantage to 20-11 at the intermission.

The inside duo of senior Gracie Shepherd and freshman Lexi Moore controlled the period as Shepherd bucketed six points and Moore added a pair of baskets. Myers also aided the cause with a three-point shot.

Heritage was limited to a Bickel three-point field goal and a Madilyn Scheumann basket as the Patriots hit only 5 of 22 first half shots (23 percent).

Ava Pilon, Bickel and Raelyn Mullins scored early second half baskets as the Lady Patriots sliced the deficit to 22-17 but the Raiders responded with a Myers trey and a Lexi Moore basket for a 27-17 advantage.

Two Myers foul shots and a Shepherd three-point play helped Wayne Trace go on to post a 32-24 lead at the end of three periods.

Following an Elise Miller three-pointer to start the Raider scoring in the final period, Bickel connected on back-to-back treys and added a basket to quickly bring Heritage within 35-32.

Shepherd hit two free throws for the Lady Raiders to extend the margin to 37-32 but the Patriots answered with a Scheumann bucket to cut the Wayne Trace lead to 37-34.

However, that would be the end of the scoring for Heritage.

The Lady Raiders picked up two by Abby Moore before Caroline Winans completed the game’s scoring with a late basket to wrap up the 41-34 victory.

“It’s always good to get a win but we need to be much better,” commented Wayne Trace head coach Bethany DeJarnett. “We have some areas to improve at and we need to work on getting better.”

Shepherd topped the Lady Raiders with 13 points and seven rebounds while Myers chipped in ten markers, three assists and two steals. Lexi Moore recorded eight points and 14 rebounds for Wayne Trace and Caroline Winans finished with five markers and three steals.

Elise Miller posted three points and Abby Moore had two to complete the Raider scoring.

The Lady Raiders outrebounded the Patriots 28-22 while Heritage finished with 11 turnovers compared to Wayne Trace’s 15. Heritage was 14 of 39 from the field overall (36 percent) with Wayne Trace hitting 14 of 37 shots (38 percent). At the charity stripe, the Lady Patriots made both of their attempts compared to the Raiders hitting 9 of 11.

Bickel led all scorers with 21 points, five rebounds and three steals while Scheumann chipped in four markers, six rebounds and two steals. Kendall Zelt posted three points with Ava Pilon, Lydia Schultz and Raelyn Mullins all posting a basket.

Schultz also hauled in four boards for the Lady Patriots, who fall to 5-15 on the season. Pilon dished out three assists and Zelt finished with two assists and four steals.