Photo Provided by Grace Athletics Matt Jennings directed Grace's offense in the first half on Tuesday game with Goshen. He was defended by the Maple Leafs’ Michael Bowers.
Photo Provided by Grace Athletics Matt Jennings directed Grace's offense in the first half on Tuesday game with Goshen. He was defended by the Maple Leafs’ Michael Bowers.
WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s men’s basketball team kicked off the Crossroads League season in style with a 92-78 win over Goshen on Tuesday.

The Lancers (5-3, 1-0 CL) had five players score in double figures and shot 56 percent from the floor in an efficient performance.

Matt Jennings was sensational with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals to pace Grace’s attack.

The Lancers led from start to finish in a consistent showing. Matt Jennings started the game by scoring seven unanswered points, forcing an early timeout from Goshen.

Grace continued its momentum and went ahead 14-0 after six minutes of action.

The Maple Leafs (3-7, 0-1 CL) finally scored 6:08 into the game, but Grace’s surge continued. The Lancers pulled ahead 29-11 midway into the first half.

The Maple Leafs managed to whittle away at Grace’s cushion, slicing the deficit down to seven.

But the Lancers had another run late in the half; Grace went on a quick 10-0 spurt thanks to six points from Haden Deaton.

Goshen beat the buzzer with an and-1 as the clock expired, but Grace still led 49-35 at halftime. The Lancers shot 66 percent from the floor, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Jennings (14 points) and Deaton (13 points) led the way for Grace before halftime.

Goshen made a few challenges at Grace’s lead, but each time the Lancers found an answer.

In the opening minutes of the half, the Maple Leafs pulled within eight. But a pair of freshmen sparked the Lancers. Myles Johnson and Caleb Brown combined for eight points during a 10-2 run.

But Goshen refused to go down easy. With 2:40 left in the contest, Grace’s lead had dwindled down to 80-74.

The Lancers responded at the free throw line. Grace initially struggled at the charity stripe, combining to shoot 5-of-11 to start the game.

But over the final 2:24, Grace was perfect. The Lancers drilled 12 straight free throws down the stretch to ice the win. Jennings made six of those foul shots, and Charlie Warner made four more.

Deaton and Warner each finished the game with 17 points, and Deaton grabbed six rebounds.

Johnson ripped off 13 points in 13 minutes; the freshman shot 5-of-5 from the floor and 2-of-2 from beyond the arc.

Jaret Sons had 12 points, 3 blocks, 3 assists and 3 steals, Braxton Linville added seven assists and six boards, and Brown added five points off the bench.

The Lancers’ next league game is Tuesday at Taylor.