Grace Grabs 2OT Win Over Cornerstone
December 31, 2021 at 3:54 a.m.
Grace Grabs 2OT Win Over Cornerstone
By Josh Neuhart-
The NAIA No. 7-ranked Lancers improved to 14-1 thanks to the 91-83 victory. Jakob Gibbs erupted for 27 points while making his season debut.
The Lancers survived a subpar shooting night, making 42 percent from the floor, 29 percent on 3-pointers and 63 percent on free throws.
But the Lancers turned the ball over just eight times and outscored Cornerstone 12-4 in the double overtime session.
The Golden Eagles, who had already beaten three Crossroads League opponents, could not hold onto their lead, which they held for much of regulation.
Grace started the game sluggishly, particularly on offense. The Lancers did not make their first field goal until nearly five minutes had expired when Brycen Graber scored in the paint.
Cornerstone grabbed a 9-1 lead as a result, and the Golden Eagles led for the rest of the half.
Grace cut the lead to one possession on multiple occasions, but the Lancers were unable to regain the lead.
Gibbs made his first appearance of the season and made an immediate impact. He scored a team-high nine points in the first half, tying Jake Wadding for team scoring honors.
Grace went into halftime with a 44-39 deficit. The Lancers made just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc (14 percent) compared to 6 of 14 (43 percent) for Cornerstone.
The Golden Eagles pushed the lead up to eight in the early minutes of the second half, but Grace calmly responded with seven straight points.
The Lancers took their first lead of the game at 55-53 with 11:30 remaining thanks to a layup from Frankie Davidson.
The game remained deadlocked for the final 13 minutes of regulation. Gibbs tied the score at 69-69 with 1:34 remaining, which proved to be the final points of regulation.
Both teams had chances to win the game in the final minute, but the game was destined for extra periods.
The sides traded points in the first OT. A pair of free throws from Gibbs put Grace ahead 77-75 with 31 seconds remaining. Cornerstone tied the score on its next possession, but Gibbs scored on a hard drive to the paint with four seconds remaining, giving Grace a two-point edge.
But Cornerstone was not prepared to yield. The Golden Eagles drew a foul with 0.5 seconds remaining, and two clutch foul shots tied the score 79-79 to send the game to double overtime.
After an even start to the second OT, Grace found a rhythm at an opportune time. The Lancers ended the game on a 9-0 surge.
Gibbs hit a 3-point dagger at the top of the key with less than a minute remaining to put Grace ahead by five. The Lancers’ defense forced Cornerstone into five empty possessions to close out the game.
Gibbs had 27 points by shooting 7 of 14 overall, 3 of 6 on 3-pointers and 10 of 14 from the foul line.
Elijah Malone tallied 20 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Davidson had 13 points, 6 assists and 5 boards, and Wadding added 12 points, 11 boards and 2 steals.
Graber had nine points and three assists, Cade Gibbs added 6 points, 8 boards and 2 steals, and Ian Scott amassed 4 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.
The Lancers hit the road today for a New Year’s Eve game at Great Lakes Christian at 3 p.m.
The NAIA No. 7-ranked Lancers improved to 14-1 thanks to the 91-83 victory. Jakob Gibbs erupted for 27 points while making his season debut.
The Lancers survived a subpar shooting night, making 42 percent from the floor, 29 percent on 3-pointers and 63 percent on free throws.
But the Lancers turned the ball over just eight times and outscored Cornerstone 12-4 in the double overtime session.
The Golden Eagles, who had already beaten three Crossroads League opponents, could not hold onto their lead, which they held for much of regulation.
Grace started the game sluggishly, particularly on offense. The Lancers did not make their first field goal until nearly five minutes had expired when Brycen Graber scored in the paint.
Cornerstone grabbed a 9-1 lead as a result, and the Golden Eagles led for the rest of the half.
Grace cut the lead to one possession on multiple occasions, but the Lancers were unable to regain the lead.
Gibbs made his first appearance of the season and made an immediate impact. He scored a team-high nine points in the first half, tying Jake Wadding for team scoring honors.
Grace went into halftime with a 44-39 deficit. The Lancers made just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc (14 percent) compared to 6 of 14 (43 percent) for Cornerstone.
The Golden Eagles pushed the lead up to eight in the early minutes of the second half, but Grace calmly responded with seven straight points.
The Lancers took their first lead of the game at 55-53 with 11:30 remaining thanks to a layup from Frankie Davidson.
The game remained deadlocked for the final 13 minutes of regulation. Gibbs tied the score at 69-69 with 1:34 remaining, which proved to be the final points of regulation.
Both teams had chances to win the game in the final minute, but the game was destined for extra periods.
The sides traded points in the first OT. A pair of free throws from Gibbs put Grace ahead 77-75 with 31 seconds remaining. Cornerstone tied the score on its next possession, but Gibbs scored on a hard drive to the paint with four seconds remaining, giving Grace a two-point edge.
But Cornerstone was not prepared to yield. The Golden Eagles drew a foul with 0.5 seconds remaining, and two clutch foul shots tied the score 79-79 to send the game to double overtime.
After an even start to the second OT, Grace found a rhythm at an opportune time. The Lancers ended the game on a 9-0 surge.
Gibbs hit a 3-point dagger at the top of the key with less than a minute remaining to put Grace ahead by five. The Lancers’ defense forced Cornerstone into five empty possessions to close out the game.
Gibbs had 27 points by shooting 7 of 14 overall, 3 of 6 on 3-pointers and 10 of 14 from the foul line.
Elijah Malone tallied 20 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Davidson had 13 points, 6 assists and 5 boards, and Wadding added 12 points, 11 boards and 2 steals.
Graber had nine points and three assists, Cade Gibbs added 6 points, 8 boards and 2 steals, and Ian Scott amassed 4 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.
The Lancers hit the road today for a New Year’s Eve game at Great Lakes Christian at 3 p.m.
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