Grace’s offense sizzles in win
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace’s men’s basketball team flexed its offensive muscles with a 100-82 win over Grace Christian on Tuesday.
The Lancers (15-10) shot at least 55 percent from the floor in each half and had eight players who scored at least eight points.
Grace began the first half sluggishly but ended with a surge. Meanwhile, the Tigers (9-11) began the game red-hot from beyond the arc.
The first six made field goals for the Tigers were all 3-pointers, the last of which put the visitors ahead 20-19 with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
The Lancers responded by scoring 13 straight points to claim a double-digit lead.
Grace was not done, however, ending the half on a 19-6 charge to earn a 53-31 lead at halftime.
The Lancers shot 55 percent from the floor and assisted on 12 of their 17 made field goals. GCU, on the other hand, shot 31 percent as a team and 30 percent on triples.
Matt Jennings led all players with 12 points before the break, and Elijah Malone had 11 points without missing a field goal.
The second half saw an offensive showcase from both sides. GCU, who scored 31 points in the whole first half, tallied 31 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Grace had no trouble keeping pace offensively; the Lancers maintained a cushion of at least 20 points for most of the half, refusing to allow the Tigers to mount a significant rally.
For the game, Grace shot 57 percent from the field and 53 percent from beyond the arc (10 of 19). Grace also had a plus-13 edge in rebounds and racked up 23 assists.
Haden Deaton tied for scoring honors with 19 points and five assists, drilling four 3-pointers. Jennings had 15 points and two assists, and Malone racked up 15 points, 6 boards and 3 blocked shots.
Frankie Davidson filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, and Jake Wadding had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
Jakob Gibbs had 12 points, 5 boards and 4 assists, and Eddie Gill IV amassed 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Cody Holmes started in the game and had a season-high 8 points to go along with 6 boards, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots.
The two teams will have an immediate rematch, playing in Michigan at Grace Christian on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
