Grace loses barnburner to RedHawks
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace’s men’s basketball team nearly completed a massive comeback, losing 102-99 to IU Northwest on Saturday.
The Lancers (10-6) trailed by as many as 16 in the second half. Grace had a furious rally in the final minutes but misfired on two chances in the waning seconds to send the game to overtime.
Logan Godfrey scored a career-high 33 points in the loss, adding 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Martin Schiele was electric after halftime, nearly sparking Grace’s comeback by himself with 14 points in the second half.
The RedHawks (12-5) were dominant on offense, topping 50 points in each half. IUN jumped out to a 16-8 lead after six minutes of action, but Grace battled back.
Haden Deaton hit a 3-pointer and scored seven quick points, and Tyce Frank also buried a triple to put the Lancers ahead 22-21.
The RedHawks went on a 25-7 run after that point, however, opening up a comfortable 17-point lead with four minutes remaining in the half.
Godfrey helped lead a late charge over the final minutes to help bridge the gap. Godfrey converted back-to-back fastbreaks, including a thunderous dunk and an and-1.
Charlie Warner added four points late, cutting Grace’s deficit to 51-43 at halftime.
But Grace’s deficit continued to grow in the second half. The RedHawks eventually established a 67-51 advantage after six minutes of play after halftime.
Deaton and Eddie Gill IV did their best to keep Grace within striking distance by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers, but the Lancers still trailed by 15 with 6:50 left.
Schiele then sparked a dramatic comeback, and his timely baskets were critical in Grace’s comeback. He hit two free throws and then made a soaring interception on defense, racing down the court and completing an acrobatic layup while being fouled. IUN’s starting center committed his fifth foul on the play.
Without its center, the RedHawks struggled to slow down Godfrey. Godfrey poured in 10 points over the final five minutes to power Grace’s rally.
Schiele picked up a steal and was fouled with 1:09 remaining, hitting both foul shots to bring Grace to within two at 98-96. IUN answered with a basket in the paint, but Godfrey was quick to respond with his own hoop to make the score 100-98.
After Grace made a defensive stop, the Lancers sprinted up the court and found Godfrey again in the post. He was fouled on a potential game-tying shot but made only 1-of-2 from the foul line with 2.1 seconds left.
The RedHawks hit two free throws to make the score 102-99, but Grace still had another chance. A perfectly placed fullcourt pass found Warner alone at the 3-point line with 0.7 seconds remaining, but his desperation shot was just off the mark.
Godfrey’s 33 points came on 12-of-20 shooting from the floor and 9-of-11 from the foul line. Deaton also poured in 26 points and five rebounds while hitting four 3-pointers.
Schiele’s 14 points tied a career high, and he added two rebounds and two seals, and Warner had 10 points, 5 boards and 3 assists.
Gill finished with 8 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and Braxton Linville chipped in 5 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Grace shot 48 percent from the floor compared to 53 percent for the RedHawks. Grace also had 18 assists on just eight turnovers.
The Lancers have two nonconference games remaining. Grace will play an exhibition at NCAA Div. II Indianapolis on New Year’s Eve, followed by a game at Great Lakes Christian on Jan. 2.
The Lancers’ next home game is a doubleheader with Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Jan. 5.