Grace Men Win NCCAA Regional Title
Posted
Staff Report-
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College men's basketball team is heading to the
NCCAA National Tournament.
The Lancers went wire-to-wire in the final game ever played in Lancer
Gymnasium as Grace captured the NCCAA Midwest Regional title with a
73-58 victory over two-time defending NCCAA champion Spring Arbor
(Mich.) University.Grace junior guard Scott Moore nailed a three-pointer just 31 seconds
into the contest as Grace never trailed in the game. The Lancers
quickly upped the score to double digits as Grace led 13-2 with 14:46
seconds left in the first half.
Spring Arbor forward Scott Parish made a layup to cut the advantage to
nine points. Lancer junior guard Marcus Moore hit a field goal to up
the lead back to 11 points at 15-4. SAU guard Darby Decker connected
from 10-feet out before a three-pointer by senior guard David Ritter
pushed the Lancer lead to 12 points at 18-6 with 12:27 remaining before
intermission.
The Lancer lead would not dip below double figures the rest of the
contest.
Grace built a 31-13 lead with 5:29 remaining in the half and pushed the
lead to 20 points at 45-25 with 1:40 to play. The Lancers eventually
closed the first half with the final six points to head into
intermission with a 51-28 lead.
The Lancers were able to cruise throughout the second half of action as
Spring Arbor was unable to threaten the Grace advantage.
Spring Arbor was able to narrow the deficit to 14 points at 66-52 with
5:32 left in the game. The Cougars completed their 8-0 run to close the
Grace advantage to 11 points with the Lancers leading 66-55 with 3:26
on the clock.
But Grace scored the next five points in the following minute and a
half to diminish any Spring Arbor hope.
Grace was led in scoring by Marcus Moore's 17 points. He also had seven
assists. Sophomore center Eric Gaff recorded his third double-double of
the season against Spring Arbor with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Gaff
also blocked five Cougar shot attempts.
The Lancers advance to the NCCAA National Tournament at Oakland City
(Ind.) University from March 15-17.
