Grace ends regular season with road win
UPLAND, Ind. – The strong late season play for Grace’s men’s basketball team continued on Saturday with a 79-67 win at Taylor on Saturday.
The Lancers (15-15, 5-13 Crossroads League) have now won four of their last six games to close out the regular season.
Grace will compete in the 2019 NCCAA National Championships, hosted by Grace in March. The Lancers will await word about a potential NCCAA regional game.
The Lancers were efficient on offense. Grace shot 50 percent from the floor compared to 41 percent for the Trojans (11-19, 5-13 CL). Grace also committed a season-low five turnovers while passing out 19 assists.
Logan Godfrey was the best player on the court. He made 10-of-16 from the floor, leading all players with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, and he added a steal and two assists.
The teams could barely be separated in the first half. Neither team led by more than five points before halftime.
The lead incredibly changed hands 12 times in the first half as the sides traded baskets.
Grace had its biggest lead of the half in the final minutes. Charlie Warner hit a 3-pointer, and Braxton Linville then scored for a 35-31 advantage.
But Taylor drilled consecutive 3-pointers to regain the lead and end the half with a 37-35 advantage.
Minutes into the second half, the Lancers made the first significant run of the game. Grace erupted on a 14-2 charge to go ahead 54-44 with 11:29 remaining. Warner had six points during that spurt.
Grace maintained its advantage for the remainder of the game. Taylor did its best to rally, using a 7-2 run to come within 64-60 with 6:30 on the clock.
But Grace leaned on Godfrey down the stretch, and the stellar senior was up to the task. Godfrey scored eight points in the final six minutes to keep Taylor at a distance.
Grace secured the win on the defensive end. With a minute remaining, Tyce Frank made a steal and passed it ahead to Godfrey for a fastbreak layup which effectively ended the game.
Haden Deaton produced 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists with just 1 turnover, and Warner scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
Braxton Linville tallied 8 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, Martin Schiele handed out four assists, Frank scored five points with three assists, and Eddie Gill IV finished with four points and three boards.
The Lancers did not shoot well from deep, making just 5-of-18 (28 percent). But Grace’s low turnover rate and seven more free throw attempts helped make the difference.