Lancer Men Stay Undefeated
DEERFIELD, Ill. – Four Lancers scored in double figures against Missouri Valley on Saturday, improving to 5-0 on the season with a 72-62 win.
Grace’s victory was also the first defeat of the season for the Vikings (3-1), an NAIA Div. I opponent.
Niko Read led Grace in scoring with 18 points, drilling four 3-pointers in the process.
An offensive showcase in the first half propelled Grace to a 40-29 advantage at halftime. The Lancers made over 50 percent of their field goals (16-of-29), and Logan Irwin scored 12 of his 14 points in the first period.
Grace, who scored on its first possession from Dennis Williams, never trailed in the contest. The Vikings let the Lancers drift ahead by 17 points midway through the second half and tried to make a late rally.
Missouri Valley eventually cut Grace’s lead to six with 19 seconds remaining at 68-62, but Kyle Fillman and Chad Hoffer iced the win at the free throw line.
Fillman had the game’s only double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Brandon Vanderhegghen provided 14 points with three triples off the bench.
Irwin finished with 14 points, five assists and two steals, and Williams added eight points and eight boards.
Grace held a dominant 43-28 advantage in rebounding and grabbed 12 offensive boards in the game. The Lancers finished 48 percent for the game compared to 40 percent for the Vikings. Missouri Valley was also just 2-of-16 from beyond the arc.
The Lancers will travel to Davenport, Iowa, next weekend for a tournament being hosted by St. Ambrose. Grace will play St. Ambrose on Friday and Ashford on Saturday.