Elijah Malone posts up against Great Lakes Christian in Grace’s lopsided win Thursday afternoon. Photo courtest Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s men’s basketball team flexed its offensive muscles during a 97-74 win over Great Lakes Christian on Thursday.

The Lancers had four players score in double figures, led by a season-high 26 points from Frankie Davidson.

The Crusaders scored the first points of the game, but the next several minutes belonged to Grace. The Lancers (7-4) used defense to fuel their offense, breaking quickly and effectively after missed shots by Great Lakes.

The Lancers went on an 18-4 run after Great Lakes scored the opening bucket. Matt Jennings scored four of those points, Jake Wadding added six, and Frankie Davidson had three points including a one-handed slam along the baseline.

Grace led by as many as 17 points during the opening half, but the Crusaders continued to claw back to remain in contention.

Great Lakes managed to trim Grace’s margin down to nine late in the first half, but four quick points from Elijah Malone gave the Lancers a comfortable lead.

Eddie Gill IV stole a pass in the final seconds and converted a layup to put the Lancers ahead 44-29 at halftime.

Davidson scored a team-high 14 points in the half, and Wadding added eight. Grace shot 50 percent from the floor while holding the Crusaders (2-8) to 32 percent.

The Lancers also earned their way to the foul line with 19 free throws; Great Lakes only had three foul shots.

Grace was never seriously threatened in the second half. Great Lakes trailed by at least 20 points for nearly the entire second half. The Lancers coasted for the final 23-point margin of victory.

Davidson was ultra-efficient for his 26 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. He shot 8 of 11 from the floor and hit all three of his 3-pointers.

Grace had two players achieve a double-double. Cade Gibbs had 16 points, 10 boards and 2 assists, and Wadding finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Jennings had 12 points, 4 assists and 2 steals, and Malone amassed 8 points, 6 boards and 4 blocked shots.

Haden Deaton tallied seven points and three assists, Gill had 6 points, 7 boards and 2 assists, and Jakob Gibbs scored seven points.

Grace shot 52 percent from the floor for the game compared to 37 percent for the Crusaders. Grace did lose the ball 22 times but made up for that with a 53-35 edge in rebounding.

The Lancers are home again on Saturday, hosting East-West at 2 p.m.