FORT WAYNE, Ind. – For the second straight game, Grace's men's basketball team went on the road and upset a ranked team.

Charlie Warner sank the game-deciding free throw with just over a minute left in overtime, securing a 77-76 victory for the Lancers against No. 17 St. Francis.

The win moves the Lancers into a two-way tie atop the Crossroads League with Indiana Wesleyan. 

Jaret Sons recorded a double-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks. Myles Johnson was a nuisance in the paint, altering numerous shots and adding 13 points along with eight rebounds.

The game started as a defensive battle with neither team finding any offensive rhythm. Braxton Linville helped the Lancers (12-5, 4-1 CL) keep pace with St. Francis, scoring five of Grace's first seven points. 

The teams traded baskets, and Johnson gave the Lancers their first lead of the game at 17-16 midway into the first half.

 The Cougars (14-4, 3-3 CL) wasted no time regaining their lead on the next possession and building a 25-17 advantage.

The Lancers answered back with a 10-2 run, fueled by four straight points from Matt Jennings and brought the game back even at 27-27.

Grace went the final five minutes without scoring and went into the half down 33-27.

Jennings and Haden Deaton each had 10 points at the break. Sons led the Lancers with five rebounds.

Despite shooting 41 percent from the floor, Grace struggled from deep. Linville was the lone Lancer to connect from beyond the 3-point arc as Grace shot 1-7.

The Lancers struggled to keep the Cougars off the offensive glass in the first half, giving up eight offensive boards.

The Lancers came out of the half hitting on all cylinders. Grace quickly erased the deficit and built a 50-39 lead. Sons put an exclamation point on the run with a pair of 3-point baskets that forced the reeling Cougars to call a timeout.

USF seemed to regain its composure coming out of the timeout and was able to fight back into the game. The Cougars clawed back and tied the game at 64 with just over two minutes left in regulation.

St. Francis regained the lead and threatened to close out Grace 70-68. Sons hit a clutch shot and brought the game back even at 70.

Each team had one more possession, but neither side could find the winning basket, sending the game to overtime.

The overtime period saw the two teams continue to battle neck and neck. Sons scored Grace's first four points of the period to put the Lancers ahead 74-72.

Charlie Warner then scored the next three points for Grace, including the go-ahead free throw with 1:27 remaining.

The Lancers' defense then secured the victory. Grace held USF scoreless on the final three possessions, and Sons contested the Cougars' last-second jumpshot which missed the mark.

The Lancers shot 45 percent from deep in the second half and overtime. USF was limited to just two second-chance points over the final 25 minutes.

Deaton added 15 points and five rebounds, and Matt Jennings chipped in 10 points off the bench.

The Lancers will return home to host No. 15 Spring Arbor on Tuesday at 7 p.m.