Lancers Win Defensive Battle
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – In last year’s meeting between Grace and Lawrence Tech, the Blue Devils were held to 34 points—a program record for Grace’s best defensive effort.
While records were not broken during Tuesday night’s matchup, defense was still the catalyst to Grace’s 61-59 win over the Blue Devils (0-2).
Logan Irwin sizzled his way to 22 points and five assists, and Erik Bowen and Kyle Fillman both had double-doubles for the Lancers (2-0). Grace shot just 39 percent from the floor, but the Lancers held a plus-17 advantage in rebounding. Grace’s defense held LTU to 42 percent shooting and 30 points or less in both halves.
Lawrence Tech surprised the 14th-ranked Lancers in the first half, leading 15-8 to start the game. The Blue Devils led much of the period, building up a nine-point cushion with just 1:30 remaining.
But Bowen scored two quick hoops in the paint, and Irwin beat the buzzer for another basket to trim the Blue Devils’ advantage to 29-26 at halftime.
The Lancers started the second half on a 17-7 spurt thanks to eight points from Irwin and five from Bowen. Grace pulled ahead 43-36 at the midway mark of the second half and never surrendered the lead again.
The Blue Devils managed to slice the Lancers’ cushion down to two points on five occasions, but each time Grace had an answer. Brandon Vanderhegghen sank two timely free throws with 13 seconds on the clock, and Fillman added another with three seconds left. Lawrence Tech hit a desperation 3-pointer with a second remaining to pull within two, but time expired on the inbounds pass as Grace improved to 2-0 on the season.
Irwin’s 22 points came on 9-of-17 shooting. Fillman had 11 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Bowen had 11 points and 10 boards.
Vanderhegghen finished with nine points and four rebounds, and Caleb Featherston chipped in five points and five boards.
The Lancers will return home on Friday for a 7 p.m. game against St. Xavier.