Lancers produce road win in Ohio

WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace’s men’s basketball team was dialed in on Wednesday, producing an impressive 88-68 win at Mt. Vernon Nazarene.

Grace shot 53 percent from the floor, had 21 assists versus nine turnovers and placed five players in double-digit scoring.

The Lancers (12-5, 5-3 Crossroads League) are winners of six of their past seven matchups. Grace and MVNU will face off again on Saturday. The 1 p.m. game will tip off at Grace’s Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

The game started strongly for the Lancers. Grace scored on its first six possessions to open up an early lead.

The Cougars (3-7, 3-4 CL) kept the score close until a late push from Grace put the visitors ahead for good.

With seven minutes remaining in the first half, Grace used a 12-4 run to gain separation from the Cougars. Matt Jennings scored nine of Grace’s points during that run, and Haden Deaton added a triple.

Grace went into halftime with a 44-36 lead. Jennings poured in 17 points in the half to lead all players.

Early in the second half, the Cougars clawed back to within three of Grace’s lead. But the Lancers utilized a 7-1 spurt to keep MVNU at bay.

Grace continued to add to its lead in the middle portions of the second half, and the Cougars could not find an answer. The Lancers led by as many 23 down the stretch en route to the win.

Grace held the Cougars to 37 percent shooting for the game. MVNU also had four more turnovers (13 to 9) than Grace and four fewer rebounds (41 to 37).

Jennings led all players with 21 points, shooting 7 of 12 from the field, 3 of 4 on 3-pointers and 4 of 4 from the foul line.

Deaton produced 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and Frankie Davidson added 14 points, 8 boards, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots.

Cade Gibbs had 10 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, and Elijah Malone added 10 points, 2 blocks and 2 steals in 16 minutes off the bench.

Jakob Gibbs registered 9 points, 5 boards and 4 assists, and Jake Wadding chipped in 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.