WINONA LAKE – Grace’s men’s basketball team led by as many as eight points in the second half, but Indiana Tech secured a comeback win on Wednesday.

The Lancers (11-4) wrapped up the nonconference portion of their schedule with a 84-69 loss to Indiana Tech at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

Grace’s defense could not find stops in the key moments of the second half, allowing the Warriors (11-4) to run away with the win.

Indiana Tech started the contest sharply; the Warriors connected on six of their first 10 shots to claim an early 16-7 lead.

Grace’s defense quieted the Warriors for the rest of the half, however. Indiana Tech was held to 33 percent shooting after its initial push, and Grace gradually chipped away at its deficit.

A nifty spin and layup by Logan Irwin with 3:27 left in the half gave Grace its first lead of the game at 26-24. The Lancers benefitted late in the half with a four-point possession. Grace swished four free throws – two from a common foul and two more from a technical foul issued on Indiana Tech’s coach.

Brandon Vanderhegghen buried a deep 3-pointer in the final 15 seconds to help Grace to a 35-32 lead at halftime. Tre Olive provided a lift off the bench with four points, and Vanderhegghen’s nine points led all players at the break.

Vanderhegghen came out firing in the second half, ripping off 11 points over the first seven minutes. The Warriors responded with a trio of 3-pointers to stay within striking distance.

Indiana Tech scored nine unanswered points to reclaim the lead at 58-54 with 10:24 to play. Grace responded to tie the game at 62-62 on a 3-point play by Erik Bowen.

But the Warriors used another crippling run to unravel the Lancers. Indiana Tech went on a 14-4 spurt to take control of the game for good. From 8:30 to 2:20 left in the game, the Warriors scored on 11 of their 12 offensive possessions. Indiana Tech totaled 24 points in the definitive six-minute stretch.

Grace was forced to foul down the stretch, allowing the visitors to score their final 10 points of the game from the free throw line. Overall for the half, Indiana Tech buried 60 percent of their field goals and 50 percent of their 3’s.

Vanderhegghen finished the game with a team-best 20 points after making 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. The rest of the team was a combined 0-for-13 from the 3-point line.

Bowen had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Irwin added 16 points and four assists.

Olive had eight points off the bench, and Kyle Fillman chipped in four points.

The Lancers will end the regular season with 15 consecutive Crossroads League games. Grace will host Spring Arbor on Saturday at 3 p.m.