Lancers Win Top-10 Battle at Bethel

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Grace's men's basketball team secured a statement win with a 72-55 victory at No. 10 Bethel on Saturday.

The No. 6-ranked Lancers (21-5, 13-3 Crossroads League) held Bethel to its lowest scoring output of the season. The Pilots (20-6, 13-3 CL) scored less than 30 points in each half.

The win moves Grace into a tie with Bethel for the top seed in the conference with just two games to play.

Gage Sefton flexed his muscles with a game-high 21 points in the win, and Ian Scott racked up 9 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals.

The game was delayed by over an hour after a malfunction with a basketball goal, and the Lancers struggled to begin with fluidity.

Grace went scoreless for the first three minutes. The Pilots scored the first 10 points of the game, including a banked 3-pointer.

The Lancers had to burn an early timeout after trailing 14-2. Sefton scored Grace's first six points, helping the Lancers close the early deficit to 14-9.

Grace began to find its offense in the paint. The Lancers attacked the post regularly, outmuscling the Pilots and earning tough baskets.

The Lancers finally tied the score at 24-24 with 5:32 remaining. Back-to-back layups from Scott and Hunter Walston gave the Lancers a 28-26 advantage.

Justin DeGraaf also played a key role with two 3-pointers, providing a spark off the bench. 

The Lancers ended the half on a 7-2 run, charging into halftime with a 35-29 lead.

Grace finished the half shooting 48 percent from the floor compared to 44 percent by Bethel.

The Lancers took care of the ball with just six turnovers while grabbing six steals. Grace also had 16 points in the paint and 13 bench points.

Sefton's 14 points led all players at the break, and DeGraaf tallied 10.

The second half was a physical one as the two top teams battled atop the conference.

Grace continued to use its physicality to score at the rim. The Lancers' robust defense gave Bethel scarcely any breathing room, allowing the Lancers to build a cushion. 

An and-1 from Walston put the Lancers on top 49-36. Another and-1 by Brett Sickafoose propelled the Lancers ahead by 14 with less than five minutes to play.

Grace continued to build on its cushion as the second half wound down, thanks largely to the Lancers' stingy defense. Bethel was held to 13 points over the final 10 minutes of regulation, and Grace cruised to final 17-point margin of victory.

Sefton shot 7 of 14 from the floor for his 21 points, adding five rebounds and two steals. DeGraaf produced 12 points and three boards.

Ian Raasch finished the game with nine points and four rebounds, Walston had seven points and three boards, and Sickafoose scored eight.

The Lancers have one week remaining in the regular season. Grace will host St. Francis on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., following the conclusion of the women's matchup. Wednesday will also be Senior Day to honor Grace's graduating class.

The regular season wraps up on Saturday with a trip to Mt. Vernon Nazarene.

Grace has already locked up a top-two finish in the conference, meaning the Lancers would host at least two rounds of the CL Tournament if the team advances.