Lancers Win Tournament TuneupWINONA LAKE – In a final tuneup for next week’s NCCAA National Championships, the Grace College men’s basketball was impressive Thursday evening.
Hosting the Cincinnati Christian University Eagles in an NCCAA Midwest Regional, the Lancers got out to an early 10-point lead and never trailed en route to a 96-87 win.
“We’ve been off for a really long time. We really are keyed, or focused, on playing in the tournament. It’s important to have that want-to,” said veteran Grace College coach Jim Kessler, whose team hadn’t played a game since beating conference foe Taylor University 79-67 in the regular season finale on Feb. 16.
“These guys are interested in playing. They’ve been here having fun, hanging out, practicing ... they really like each other. That’s been a plus. We’re looking forward to the tournament next week.”
Grace College will host the NCCAA?National Championships at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center March 13-16.
The tournament will include eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams. Each team will play three games, as opposed to a single-elimination format.
The Lancers will play their first tournament game Wednesday at 5:15 p.m., and the Lady Lancers will play right after at approximately 7:30 p.m.
In the nine-point win over the Eagles, who are coached by former Grace College All-American Greg Miller, the Lancers scored the first six points of the game and quickly led 16-6.
The Lancers held a 48-36 advantage at halftime, and Cincinnati Christian threatened early in the second half by cutting the deficit to four points at 58-54, but junior Charlie Warner hit a three-pointer and Grace found its way again.
“They made a run, and I knew they would,” Kessler said of the Eagles. “I told the guys, ‘hey they got a butt-chewing at halftime, you better pick it up.’”
“And our guys responded. I think good teams can, and will, respond in positive ways. Charlie is one those guys that makes big turnaround plays, and that just gives you momentum. If you miss it, they have a chance to get into you good. But he made that three-pointer, that was a big shot.”
Warner was 5 of 9 from the arc and led the Lancers with 22 points.
Sophomore Haden Deaton finished with 21 points, and senior Logan Godfrey tallied 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Freshman Eddie Gill IV was 3 of 3 from the field and 2 of 2 at the free throw line for eight points, while junior Jaret Sons and freshman Joseph Smith chipped in with seven and six points, respectively.
Four players scored in double figures for Cincinnati Christian, led by Blake Walsman’s double-double of 28 points and 19 rebounds.
Kobe Brown scored 19 points in the loss, Brandon McQueen added 17 and Dez Marshall 11.
Notes: The NAIA office in Kansas City announced two 15-player senior all-star teams Thursday.
For the first time since 2015, 30 of the best seniors will play in an NAIA men’s basketball all-star game at Municpal Arena on March 26.
Grace College will be represented by coach Jim Kessler and senior standout Logan Godfrey.
Kessler, who will retire at the end of the season after 42 years as Grace’s coach, will lead the East Team, for which Godfrey will play.
