Grace’s defense silences Taylor
UPLAND, Ind. – Grace’s men’s basketball team held Taylor to its second-lowest scoring output of the season during an 88-76 win on Saturday.
The Lancers were efficient on offense and held the Trojans to 44 percent shooting with a physical performance.
Grace outmuscled the Trojans, grabbing 10 more rebounds and scoring half of the team’s offense in the paint (44 points).
To begin Saturday’s matchup, Brett Sickafoose had the hot hand. The senior hit a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game, and he added two more treys over the next four minutes to give the Lancers a fast start.
The Lancers (8-3, 3-1 Crossroads League) held a lead for much of the opening half, but the lead was never greater than six.
The Trojans (8-3, 2-2 CL) hovered nearby and used two late triples to tie the score at 32s. But Gage Sefton scored for Grace in the final minute, allowing the Lancers to lead 34-32 at the intermission.
The teams shot similarly in the opening half with Grace at 44 percent and Taylor at 41 percent. Each side also had seven turnovers and shot three free throws apiece.
Grace’s physicality showed itself in the second half. The Lancers grabbed eight more rebounds and shot 23 free throws over the final 20 minutes.
Sefton helped power Grace’s offense to start the second half; he scored 11 points in the first 7:27 of the half, allowing the Lancers to build a six-point advantage.
The Trojans battled back, however, and trimmed Grace’s lead down to one with six minutes remaining.
Carter Stoltzfus provided a small cushion with a 3-pointer on the next play, and, after a defensive stop, Ian Scott scored in transition.
With just under five minutes left, Sickafoose hit his fourth 3-pointer of the game. Two minutes later, Brycen Graber picked out Hunter Walston for a layup as the Lancers opened up an 11-point lead.
Grace closed out the game from the free throw line. The Lancers made nine of their final 10 free throws.
Grace finished the game shooting 53 percent and 42 percent from the 3-point line. Taylor shot 44 percent overall and 35 percent on 3s.
Sefton led all players with 24 points and eight rebounds, and Scott amassed 15 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
Sickafoose scored 13 points, and Walston notched 10 points.
Graber produced 6 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot, In Raasch had 6 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, and Justin DeGraaf and Stoltzfus each scored seven points off the bench.