Grace Can't Keep Pace With Daemen College
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Josh Neuhart-
The NAIA Division II ninth-ranked Lancers (9-4) boasted a pair of players with at least 20 points, but Grace could only muster 10 points from its bench.
Grace’s Bruce Grimm Jr. led all players with 27 points, and teammate Greg Miller added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lancers yielded their second-highest shooting percentage of the season as the Wildcats (13-4) made 49.2 percent of their field goals.
“Offensively, we were OK at best,” said Grace coach Jim Kessler. “We didn’t attack the paint in the second half which showed up in us not getting to the line once. At the defensive end, we were back on our heels all night. We couldn’t contain penetration or close out shooters.”
Daemen opened up a double-digit lead midway into the first half before Grace raced back into contention with 12 straight points.
The Wildcats recovered, however, to claim a 40-36 lead at the break.
Daemen regained its 10-point cushion a few minutes into the second half and managed to keep Grace at bay the rest of the contest.
Grace attempted to rally midway through the second half with a 10-2 run. The Lancers cut Daemen’s lead to 68-65 with 7:23 to play, but the Wildcats ended Grace’s threat with baskets on their next two possessions.
Overall, Daemen made 18 of 22 from the free throw line, while Grace attempted just six free throws.
The Lancers were outscored 24-10 in bench points, but they did hold a 39-32 advantage in rebounding.
Grimm’s 27 points came with a trio of 3-pointers, six assists and four steals. Karl Columbus added 10 points, and Elliot Smith produced eight points and seven assists.
Grace will hope to bounce back today with a game against Wilfrid Laurier at 3 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
The NAIA Division II ninth-ranked Lancers (9-4) boasted a pair of players with at least 20 points, but Grace could only muster 10 points from its bench.
Grace’s Bruce Grimm Jr. led all players with 27 points, and teammate Greg Miller added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lancers yielded their second-highest shooting percentage of the season as the Wildcats (13-4) made 49.2 percent of their field goals.
“Offensively, we were OK at best,” said Grace coach Jim Kessler. “We didn’t attack the paint in the second half which showed up in us not getting to the line once. At the defensive end, we were back on our heels all night. We couldn’t contain penetration or close out shooters.”
Daemen opened up a double-digit lead midway into the first half before Grace raced back into contention with 12 straight points.
The Wildcats recovered, however, to claim a 40-36 lead at the break.
Daemen regained its 10-point cushion a few minutes into the second half and managed to keep Grace at bay the rest of the contest.
Grace attempted to rally midway through the second half with a 10-2 run. The Lancers cut Daemen’s lead to 68-65 with 7:23 to play, but the Wildcats ended Grace’s threat with baskets on their next two possessions.
Overall, Daemen made 18 of 22 from the free throw line, while Grace attempted just six free throws.
The Lancers were outscored 24-10 in bench points, but they did hold a 39-32 advantage in rebounding.
Grimm’s 27 points came with a trio of 3-pointers, six assists and four steals. Karl Columbus added 10 points, and Elliot Smith produced eight points and seven assists.
Grace will hope to bounce back today with a game against Wilfrid Laurier at 3 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
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