WINONA LAKE - Playing at the Orthopaedic Capital Center has been kind to Grace College's men's basketball team.
Such was the case Saturday afternoon, as the Lancers turned a six-point halftime lead into a 70-42 win over Mid-Central College Conference rival Taylor University.Grace, ranked 17th in the latest NAIA Division II poll, improved to 12-6 overall and 3-2 in MCC play, while the Trojans fell to 11-8 and 1-5.
The Lancers are 9-0 this season in games play at the OCC.
In Grace's latest home win, it led 25-19 at halftime and then opened the second half with a 16-3 run to take control of the game.
The Lancers outscored the Trojans 45-23 in the second half and outrebounde them 38-24 in the win.
"We gave up 23 points in the second half, that's outstanding for us," said Grace coach Jim Kessler, whose team has won two straight games following a four-game skid in which the Lancers played without 6-foot-10 junior standout Duke Johnson.
"Taylor usually shoots 50 percent no matter what happens, that's just what they do," Kessler continued. "For us to hold them to 21 percent is incredible."
The Trojans were 10 of 47 from the field overall, 4 of 20 from three-point range, and 18 of 21 at the free throw line.
The Lancers shot considerably better, finishing the game 26 of 50 (52 percent) from the field overall, 2 of 6 from three-point range, and 16 of 22 at the charity stripe.
"We were able to attack the basket," said Kessler. "We were sluggish early, but we were able to get it going."
The Lancers were 10 of 22 from the field in the first half, including 0 of 3 from the arc. In the second half, Grace was 16 of 28, including a 2-of-3 effort from three-point range.
Johnson and sophomore point guard Bruce Grimm Jr. shouldered the majority of the scoring load Saturday, as the duo combined to score 17 of the team's first 18 points.
Johnson finished with a game-high 19 points, while Grimm tossed in 17 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
"Bruce looks for Duke, and Duke has the ability to finish," said Kessler. "For us to play well, those two have to play well."
Freshman Greg Miller chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds for the Lancers, while Elliot Smith and Jared Treadway scored six and five points, respectively.
Tommy Peller was the only Taylor player to score in double figures, leading the Trojans with 16 points. Nate Kasper scored nine points and pulled down seven rebounds in the 28-point loss.
The Lancers will be in action again Tuesday when they travel to MCC foe Spring Arbor, followed by a Saturday game at defending national champion St. Francis.
St. Francis and Indiana Wesleyan share the lead in the MCC with 5-0 records, while Grace is next at 3-2.
