MISHAWAKA – Grace College’s men’s basketball team suffered its worst offensive output of the year in an 85-58 loss at No. 14 Bethel on Saturday.
The Lancers scored their fewest points of the season, struggling in nearly every offensive category. Grace shot 38 percent from the floor, 19 percent from the three-point line and 54 percent from the foul line.
Grace averaged 86 points per game entering Saturday’s contest. But the Lancers (12-14, 2-12 Crossroads League) were held under 70 points for just the fourth time this season and under 60 points for the first time.
The Pilots (19-7, 8-6 CL) opened the game with seven unanswered points, but Grace quickly stormed back. Braxton Linville hit a three-pointer, and Charlie Warner scored five points to push the Lancers ahead 12-11.
But Grace’s offense hit its first dry spell soon after, allowing Bethel to take control. The Lancers were limited to four points over the span of 7:01, and the Pilots capitalized with a 15-4 run.
Logan Godfrey ended Grace’s drought with four points, but the Lancers still trailed 32-26 at halftime.
Grace was only able to make 2 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half. Godfrey had eight points and nine rebounds, but no other player for Grace scored more than five in the first 20 minutes.
The second half was full of runs. Grace had the first burst, and a trey from Warner cut the deficit to three.
Bethel countered with a 12-2 run to open up a 46-33 cushion with 15 minutes remaining.
Over the next three minutes, Grace used its defense to produce offense. Three turnovers by Bethel all turned into points for the Lancers to charge a rally.
Haden Deaton scored the last four points of the run, and Grace trailed by three again at 46-43 with 12:04 on the clock.
But for the next seven minutes, Grace struggled mightily on offense. The Lancers tallied just eight points during that span, and Bethel took advantage to climb ahead by 19.
Grace was unable to recover as the Pilots cruised to a comfortable win.
Deaton tallied 17 points and seven rebounds, and Godfrey added 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Warner scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, but no other player for Grace topped four points.
The Lancers remain on the road on Wednesday, playing at St. Francis at 8 p.m.
Luke Fisher and Paul Forman scored 18 points each for Bethel, while Trevion Crews had a triple-double with 12 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, and Ryan Lutz chipped in with 12 points.
