AMHERST, N.Y. – Grace's men's basketball team could not keep pace with the offense of Daemen College in an 88-81 shootout defeat on Thursday.

The NAIA Division II ninth-ranked Lancers (9-4) boasted a pair of players with at least 20 points, but Grace could only muster 10 points from their bench.

Bruce Grimm Jr. led all players with 27 points, and Greg Miller added 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Grace yielded its second-highest shooting percentage of the season as the Wildcats (13-4) made 49.2 percent of their field goals.

“Offensively, we were OK at best. We didn't attack the paint second half which showed up in us not getting to the line once,” said Grace head coach Jim Kessler. “At the defensive end, we were back on our heels all night. We couldn't contain penetration or close out shooters.”

Daemen opened up a double-digit lead midway into the first half before Grace raced back into contention with 12 straight points.

The Wildcats recovered, however, to claim a 40-36 lead at the break.

Daemen regained their 10-point cushion a few minutes into the second half and managed to keep Grace at bay the rest of the contest.

Grace attempted to rally midway into the second half with a 10-2 run. They cut Daemen's lead to 68-65 with 7:23 to play, but the Wildcats ended Grace's threat with baskets on their next two possessions.

Overall, Daemen made 18-of-22 from the free throw line while Grace attempted just six free throws.

The Lancers were outscored 24-10 in bench points, but they did hold a 39-32 advantage in rebounding.

Grimm's 27 points came with a trio of 3-pointers, six assists and four steals. Karl Columbus added 10 points, and Elliot Smith produced eight points and seven assists.

Grace will hope to bounce back tomorrow with a game against Wilfrid Laurier at 3 p.m.