Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union

Grace's Ben Elliott (33) shoots over the defense of Bethel's Randy Romer Saturday during the MCC semifinals.

MISHAWAKA - Grace won the battle of the tempo with No. 1 Bethel, but the Pilots still won the war.

In an attempt to slow down the high-scoring Pilots, the Lancers used a game plan of using time on offense and solid defense to keep the score low, which would give them a better chance of upsetting the three-time defending Mid-Central Conference champions.

It almost worked, but the Lancers couldn't overcome a 15-point halftime deficit and fell to the Pilots, 80-65, in the MCC semifinals Saturday.

"Each team has to do what it feels is advantageous for itself," Grace coach Jim Kessler said. "Given the depth of their team, we didn't feel we could get into an up and down game with them."

Having just lost one week ago 109-87 to the same Pilots in the MCC regular season finale, the Lancers knew they didn't have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Pilots.

The plan included point guards Andy Schmidt and James Joiner dribbling out past the three-point line for 10-15 seconds on most offensive sets before setting up the offense.

In the first half, the Lancers' did the work they needed on the offensive end, but failed to stick with the plan on defense, and found themselves in a 44-29 hole at the break.

"We made the adjustments we needed to make," Kessler said of the second half.

The defensive plan worked as the Lancers got after it in the second half and quickly cut into the Pilots' lead. Grace eventually whittled the margin to 55-54 with 10:15 on the clock when Bert McLaughlin nailed a three-pointer.

The Lancers had used so much energy even getting to that point, they just didn't seem to have enough to get over the hump and never took the lead after that point. Behind free throw shooting, the Pilots started to pull away from Grace and that made for the final 15-point margin.

"They took some of the shots we wanted them to take," Kessler said. "That is how we got ourselves back into it. They were 1 for 5 on three-pointers, and they took some other poorly chosen shots. Unfortunately, they got to the line."

Bethel hit on 11 of 15 from the line in the second half. For the game, Bethel outshot Grace from the free throw line 15 of 19 to 5 of 9.

"It is hard to understand how they can trap and press the entire game, we shoot nine free throws, and they shoot 19," Kessler said. "They press and trap and slap and reach the whole night. That is awful. They (the officials) just didn't call that aspect of the game. That affected us because we are trying to hold the ball, and they are slapping and reaching."

Grace held Bethel to 12 of 24 shooting from the field in the second half after the Pilots shot 18 of 28 in the first half.

Missing one of their big guns in the injured David Haverstick, the Pilots got big contributions off the bench from senior Randy Romer and junior transfer Ryan Watson.

It was Romer's three-point play, and Watson's layups and three-pointer that pretty much put the nail in Grace's coffin in the second half.

"Watson made some huge shots for them," Kessler said. "He was the only one to hit one (a three-pointer) in the second half for them, and it was a big shot."

Behind their offensive game plan, the Lancers kept the game close in the first half until Schmidt picked up his second foul at only the 17:40 mark. His backup, Joiner, also picked up two quick fouls, getting his second at the 13:36 mark. With those two playing sparingly in the first half, the Pilots exploded from a 12-11 Grace lead with a 20-7 run to open up a 31-19 lead.

"The (person) you need in a game like this is your point guard," Kessler said.

Despite the loss, Kessler was happy with the way the Lancers stuck with the game plan and made the Pilots play in a type of game they obviously didn't feel comfortable playing.

"Basically we accomplished the goals that we said we wanted to accomplish," Kessler said. "Bethel lulls you into thinking that they are such a great offensive team, and they are. But you forget to concentrate on rebounding and defense, and that is exactly where they beat you."

Grace played against the Pilots for the last time in Goodman Auditorium. The gym, built in 1957, will be replaced starting in the spring with a new, modern facility.

"I am proud of these guys. They could have folded," Kessler said. "Having to come here is tough. This gym is worth 15 points itself. I even offered Coach (Mike) Lightfoot to donate the new building to get out of this barn."

Schmidt led the Lancers with 18 points, while McLaughlin had 15 points and Darren Gagnon added 14 points and seven rebounds. Rico Swanson had 15 points for the Pilots.

Grace (21-12) opens up NCCAA tourney play with a trip to Cornerstone College March 8.

"Cornerstone is a NCAA Div. II, and they play an awfully good schedule," Kessler said. "They have some very good athletes. They will have the leading three-point shooter in the U.S. in terms of field goal percentage."

Bethel (29-4) plays Taylor at home Thursday for the MCC championship. [[In-content Ad]]