Grace scores upset of No. 9 Bethel
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – For the second time this season, Grace men’s basketball team upset rival Bethel while reaching 100 points.
Saturday’s game resulted in a 102-92 victory over No. 9 Bethel, completing a season sweep of the Pilots (19-7, 7-7 Crossroads League).
After the win, Grace sits in sole possession of third place in the league standings with four games remaining in the regular season.
The Lancers (17-11, 9-5 CL) had five players break into double-digit scoring as Haden Deaton led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds.
The Lancers got off to a fast start. Sons scored eight points in the opening four minutes to help Grace to an early 15-7 lead.
Bethel battled back and by the midway point of the half were back within one of the Lancers.
Matt Jennings played crucial minutes off the bench for the Lancers to help reestablish the lead at 38-28. Braxton Linville stole the ball from a driving Bethel guard and found Jennings racing down the court for the easy lay-in.
The Pilots fought back within two, but again Grace had an answer. The Lancers ended the half on a 12-0 run, and Deaton converted an old fashioned 3-point play to send Grace into the half leading 52-38.
Grace was relentless on defense, forcing Bethel into 10 turnovers and capitalizing with 22 points. Jennings led the way with three steals.
The Lancers shot 52 percent from the floor in the first half, and Grace had five players score nine or more points.
Freshman Myles Johnson was a force in the paint, scoring 10 points in close and grabbing six rebounds.
Bethel had a methodical start to the second half and chipped the Lancer lead down to six. Johnson came up huge for Grace and scored on back-to-back possessions to push the lead to double figures at 61-51.
Both teams went cold from the floor for a three-minute stretch until the Pilots were able to find their way to the charity stripe. Near the midway point of the second half, Bethel had been to the line 15 times compared to just three for the Lancers.
The teams were playing at a near-even pace midway through the half until Hank Smith found his touch from deep. Smith hit a pair of 3-point baskets to put the Pilots in a 13-point hole, 71-58.
The Lancers continued their dominance on the offensive glass. Sons capped off a possession that featured multiple offensive rebounds with a tough basket in the paint.
As the clock creeped under five minutes remaining, Deaton produced another and-1 to give Grace a comfortable 86-74 lead.
It appeared the game was headed Grace’s direction late on an unusual play. Sons attempted a lopped pass into the post. The pass swished into the net, giving Sons an unintentional 3-pointer since he was standing behind the arc.
A few possessions later, Deaton hit his second triple of the game to give Grace a 94-78 lead.
A pair of free throws put the Lancers over the century mark as Grace cruised to a 102-92 victory.
Johnson had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Sons neared a triple-double with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Jennings had 18 points and four steals, and Warner added 14 points.
The Lancers as team finished shooting 55 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three. Grace grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and forced Bethel into 14 turnovers.
The Lancers will next be in action in Michigan on Tuesday at 7 p.m. as they face Spring Arbor.