Grace College’s Caleb Featherston dives to the basket against Bethel Saturday night in the Lancers’ 87-80 win. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s men’s basketball team added another marquee win to its résumé in an 87-80 defeat of No. 9 Bethel on Saturday.

A roaring home crowd helped propel the Lancers (17-5, 7-3 Crossroads League) to their third win over a ranked opponent.

Grace’s Logan Godfrey

Grace led for 38:25 of the 40 minutes on Saturday, but the victory was not in hand until the final minutes.

Grace’s defense paved the way for an early lead in the first half. The Pilots (16-5, 6-4 CL) were held to four points over the first six minutes, and Grace opened up an 11-4 lead.

Caleb Featherston provided an early spark, scoring six quick points.

The Lancers continued to build up their advantage, going on top 28-17 after Kyle Fillman converted an and-1 with 5:43 left.

The Pilots managed to cut Grace’s cushion down to six at halftime with four late free throws.

Bethel was forced into nine turnovers in the first half, allowing Grace to score 10 points off those miscues. The Pilots also shot 37 percent from the floor compared to 45 percent for Grace.

“We just kept playing tonight and did the things we had to do to beat a good team,” said Grace head coach Jim Kessler. “If we defend well enough, we give ourselves a chance to win. Tonight we made some shots. We got to the free throw line because we attacked. I think we really were the aggressor.”

Brandon Vanderhegghen led all players with 11 points before halftime.

The Pilots regained their shooting stroke in the second half. Bethel shot a sizzling 55 percent from the floor after halftime, but Grace ripped off 50 points of its own.

Bethel’s Jordyn Coon

Bethel quickly ran off a 10-1 run in the early minutes of the second half, taking a 41-40 lead on an and-1 by Clay Yeo with 16:04 remaining. Yeo finished with a game-high 31 points.

Vanderhegghen responded on Grace’s next possession with a 3-pointer, and the Lancers never trailed again.

A few minutes later, Grace used an 11-2 spurt of its own to open up a 10-point cushion with 11:00 left. Chad Hoffer came off the bench to score six points during that run.

Bethel refused to fade and stayed within striking distance for the rest of the contest. The Pilots sent the Lancers to the foul line in the final two minutes, and Grace hit enough shots to hold on for the win.

Nearly half of Grace’s points in the second half came from the foul line (23 of 50), including four in the final 25 seconds from Hoffer.

“We knew Clay (Yeo) was going to get his, Clay is just a tremendous player,” Kessler said. “He can make shots that you just can’t defend. We just couldn’t let other guys get off. Last time we played, Fisher lit us up for 20-something. (Caleb) Oetjen up there was in the 20s, tonight he had six. That’s a huge difference. We were able to keep the other people in control.”

The Pilots made a valiant comeback attempt in the final 30 seconds. Facing an eight-point deficit, Bethel converted a 3-pointer and two free throws to pull within three with 16 seconds on the clock.

Hoffer responded with a free throw. After a defensive stop, Tre Olive added two more with three seconds remaining. Bethel was called for a technical foul after Olive’s free throws, making the victory assured.

Vanderhegghen led Grace in scoring with 24 points. He drained five 3’s and added eight rebounds and three assists in an impressive effort.

Logan Irwin tallied 13 points and three assists, and Olive scored 13 off the bench. Hoffer produced 10 points in just 16 minutes of action, and Featherston amassed 9 points, 5 boards and 4 assists.

Erik Bowen had eight points and six rebounds, and Fillman chipped in eight points and five boards.

The Lancers remain in a tie for second place in the league standings, one game behind No. 3 St. Francis. Grace will travel to Taylor on Tuesday before taking on St. Francis on the road on Jan. 30.

Bethel’s Clay Yeo sends up a reverse layup against Grace Saturday afternoon. Yeo scored a game-high 31 points.