Lancers Suffer First Defeat Of Season To Fire
December 15, 2021 at 10:39 p.m.
Lancers Suffer First Defeat Of Season To Fire
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lancers’ men’s basketball team lost for the first time this season, falling at the hands of Southeastern (Fla.) 78-76.
No. 13 Grace was riding a 13-game winning streak to begin the season, tying the record for best start in team history. But the Fire, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, had other plans.
Southeastern built a sizable lead in the first half, but the Lancers rallied back in front after halftime. The Fire (11-2) had the final say, however, making plays late to hand Grace its first defeat.
The Lancers started the game sluggishly, falling into an early 11-2 deficit. Southeastern made four 3-pointers in the initial minutes to pull ahead 16-6.
Grace missed five of its first seven shots and gave up six offensive boards in the first five minutes.
The Fire continued to roll, pulling ahead 26-12 at the midway mark of the first half.
Grace found momentum late, however. Grace used a 9-2 spurt to cut into the Fire’s lead.
But Southeastern still held a 10-point edge at halftime at 44-34. The Fire had a 23-15 advantage in rebounds and scored nine points off those second chances.
Grace was held to 41-percent shooting in the half. The Fire shot 46 percent as a team.
The Lancers began the second half on a much more positive note. Grace scored the first eight points of the half thanks to triples by Brycen Graber and Carter Stoltzfus.
A dunk by Elijah Malone gave Grace its first lead of the game at 48-47 with 14 minutes remaining.
Grace continued to play well in the second half, increasing its lead to 59-52 after a layup from Brett Sickafoose with 9:47 left to play.
With less than seven minutes remaining, Grace still held a 63-57 lead. But the Lancers endured an untimely scoring slump which allowed the Fire to seize control of the game.
Grace scored just two points over the next 4:41, and the Fire took advantage with a 13-2 run. With 2:13 on the clock, Southeastern owned a 70-65 lead.
The Lancers missed four field goals and had four turnovers during that stretch.
But Grace still had chances to win the game late. An and-1 by Malone cut Southeastern’s lead down to two.
Grace then forced a missed shot to get the ball back and earn a chance to take the lead. But a 3-pointer by the Lancers was off the mark, and Grace was forced to foul. The Fire finished the game at the foul line, hitting 8 of 8 over the final minute to ice the win.
Sickafoose and Frankie Davidson hit 3-pointers late for Grace, but the effort was not enough.
Malone finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Davidson had 18 points, 7 boards and 2 steals.
Stoltzfus scored 18 points with six 3-pointers, and Sickafoose added seven points off the bench. Jake Wadding had six points and four rebounds, and Graber added three points and five assists.
The Lancers have an extended break and will not play again until a home matchup with Cornerstone on Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.
Crossroads League play will resume for Grace on Jan. 4 with a much-anticipated meeting with Indiana Wesleyan in Winona Lake.
Champions Of Character Schedule
Tickets can be purchased at the arena or online at gclancers.com/tickets.
SESSION 1
12:00 PM - Columbia City vs FW Wayne
1:30 PM - Snider vs Merrillville
3:00 PM - Central Noble vs Woodlan
SESSION 2
4:45 PM - Blackhawk Christian vs Chelsea (Mich.)
6:15 PM - Chesterton vs Homestead
7:45 PM - FW North Side vs Warsaw
The Lancers’ men’s basketball team lost for the first time this season, falling at the hands of Southeastern (Fla.) 78-76.
No. 13 Grace was riding a 13-game winning streak to begin the season, tying the record for best start in team history. But the Fire, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, had other plans.
Southeastern built a sizable lead in the first half, but the Lancers rallied back in front after halftime. The Fire (11-2) had the final say, however, making plays late to hand Grace its first defeat.
The Lancers started the game sluggishly, falling into an early 11-2 deficit. Southeastern made four 3-pointers in the initial minutes to pull ahead 16-6.
Grace missed five of its first seven shots and gave up six offensive boards in the first five minutes.
The Fire continued to roll, pulling ahead 26-12 at the midway mark of the first half.
Grace found momentum late, however. Grace used a 9-2 spurt to cut into the Fire’s lead.
But Southeastern still held a 10-point edge at halftime at 44-34. The Fire had a 23-15 advantage in rebounds and scored nine points off those second chances.
Grace was held to 41-percent shooting in the half. The Fire shot 46 percent as a team.
The Lancers began the second half on a much more positive note. Grace scored the first eight points of the half thanks to triples by Brycen Graber and Carter Stoltzfus.
A dunk by Elijah Malone gave Grace its first lead of the game at 48-47 with 14 minutes remaining.
Grace continued to play well in the second half, increasing its lead to 59-52 after a layup from Brett Sickafoose with 9:47 left to play.
With less than seven minutes remaining, Grace still held a 63-57 lead. But the Lancers endured an untimely scoring slump which allowed the Fire to seize control of the game.
Grace scored just two points over the next 4:41, and the Fire took advantage with a 13-2 run. With 2:13 on the clock, Southeastern owned a 70-65 lead.
The Lancers missed four field goals and had four turnovers during that stretch.
But Grace still had chances to win the game late. An and-1 by Malone cut Southeastern’s lead down to two.
Grace then forced a missed shot to get the ball back and earn a chance to take the lead. But a 3-pointer by the Lancers was off the mark, and Grace was forced to foul. The Fire finished the game at the foul line, hitting 8 of 8 over the final minute to ice the win.
Sickafoose and Frankie Davidson hit 3-pointers late for Grace, but the effort was not enough.
Malone finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Davidson had 18 points, 7 boards and 2 steals.
Stoltzfus scored 18 points with six 3-pointers, and Sickafoose added seven points off the bench. Jake Wadding had six points and four rebounds, and Graber added three points and five assists.
The Lancers have an extended break and will not play again until a home matchup with Cornerstone on Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.
Crossroads League play will resume for Grace on Jan. 4 with a much-anticipated meeting with Indiana Wesleyan in Winona Lake.
Champions Of Character Schedule
Tickets can be purchased at the arena or online at gclancers.com/tickets.
SESSION 1
12:00 PM - Columbia City vs FW Wayne
1:30 PM - Snider vs Merrillville
3:00 PM - Central Noble vs Woodlan
SESSION 2
4:45 PM - Blackhawk Christian vs Chelsea (Mich.)
6:15 PM - Chesterton vs Homestead
7:45 PM - FW North Side vs Warsaw
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