SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Grace College’s men’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak, handling Crossroads League foe Spring Arbor 75-63 on Saturday. The Lancers (18-8, 8-6 Crossroads League) used a stifling defensive effort and a dominant rebounding performance to beat the Cougars (6-20, 0-14 CL). With the win, Grace moves into sole possession of fourth place in the 10-team league standings with four games remaining. In the first half, Grace struggled with its shooting touch. The Lancers shot just 34 percent from the floor. Despite Grace's offensive issues, the Lancers' defense did its part to limit the Cougars. A basket by Logan Irwin lifted Grace to a 24-21 lead with 4:34 left in the first half. Spring Arbor concluded the half on a 12-5 run, however, to claim a three-point lead at halftime. The Cougars hit four treys and were 7 of 7 on free throws to help their cause. Eight minutes into the second half, Spring Arbor still clung to a one-point lead at 41-40. But Chad Hoffer came off the bench and gave Grace the spark it needed. Hoffer buried two three-pointers in a span of 21 seconds, giving the Lancers the lead for good. Hoffer’s two triples started a 15-5 run for Grace. Spring Arbor was never able to come closer than five points of Grace’s lead the rest of the contest. The Lancers eventually pulled out to an 11-point edge after Hoffer and Erik Bowen scored on back-to-back possessions with less than two minutes to play. Grace then cruised to its final 12-point margin of victory. After struggling to shoot just 34 percent from the floor before halftime, the Lancers recovered to hit 52 percent of their shots in the second half. Conversely, Spring Arbor was held to 38 percent shooting for the game. The Lancers also held an impressive 50-35 advantage in rebounding. Grace pulled down 16 offensive boards, and Brandon Vanderhegghen grabbed a team-high 15 rebounds. Irwin led all scorers with 21 points, adding five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Vanderhegghen finished with 14 points and 15 boards, and Hoffer scored 12 points in 13 minutes off the bench. Tre Olive hit 5 of 10 attempts from the floor for 15 points, and Logan Godfrey chipped in seven points, three rebounds and two blocked shots. Caleb Hogans led Spring Arbor with 15 points, while Anthony Qasawa scored 14 points and Thomas Sparks had a double-double of 12 points and 19 rebounds. The Lancers will travel to Goshen Wednesday for a women’s/men’s doubleheader. The women’s game will tip off at 6 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at 8 p.m.
