WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's men's basketball team kicked off the Hoops for Hope with a hard-fought 84-74 victory on Friday against Holy Family.
Haden Deaton poured in 29 points, four off his career high, to lead the Lancers (4-2) at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
Grace shot a sizzling 52 percent collectively, drilling 10-of-20 from the 3-point line. Deaton by himself was 4-of-5 on 3s and shot 12-of-18 overall.
Grace's offense was slow to connect to begin Friday's game. The Lancers fell behind early 10-7 despite back-to-back 3-pointers from Charlie Warner and Jaret Sons.
But the Lancers hit their collective stride midway into the half. Grace went on a 12-0 run, sparked by six straight points in the paint from Deaton. Caleb Brown scored four more to put Grace ahead 22-12 with 9:16 remaining.
The Lakers (2-6) rallied late in the half, ending the period on a 10-2 spurt. Holy Family scored just before the final buzzer to slice Grace's advantage to 38-35 at halftime.
Both teams shot well in the half with Grace at 50 percent and Holy Family at 54 percent. The Lakers were 5-of-10 from beyond the arc but did not attempt a free throw over the first 20 minutes.
The Lakers opened the second half with five quick points to tie the score at 40-40. That proved to be the closest Holy Family would get to the lead for the rest of the contest.
Deaton hit a triple on the next possession. A few minutes later, he erupted. Deaton racked up 12 points over a four-minute span to help the Lancers to a double-digit cushion.
Holy Family refused to fade, however. The Lakers trailed by 12 points with eight minutes left, but they patiently sliced the deficit to just three at 77-74 with 2:22 remaining.
Jennings buried a 3-pointer from the left wing during the ensuing possession to slow the Lakers' momentum.
Grace's defense took care of the rest. The Lancers held Holy Family scoreless for the final 2:21, and Grace sank four free throws to secure the win.
Warner finished with 15 points and a pair of 3-pointers, and Sons added 10 points and seven boards.
Jennings produced 11 points, 4 assists and 2 steals, and Eddie Gill IV had eight points and two steals.
Braxton Linville passed our six assists with four boards, and Caleb Brown chipped in six points and five boards.
The Lancers end the tournament at home Saturday with a 4 p.m. matchup with Shawnee State.
