HUNTINGTON, Ind. - Grace's men's basketball team could not complete a massive comeback at Huntington, losing 74-69 on Saturday.

The Lancers trailed by 19 points with 13 minutes to play in the game. But No. 18 Grace charged back, slicing the lead down to four before running out of time.

Grace endured one of its lowest offensive outputs of the Crossroads League season, shooting 34 percent for the game. 

The Lancers (15-9, 7-5 Crossroads League) particularly struggled in the first half. Grace missed all 14 of its 3-point shots before halftime and shot 24 percent overall in the period.

To start the game, Grace's offense seemed to be clicking at a normal rhythm. The Lancers were tied 12-12 with the Foresters (11-13, 3-9 CL) after nine minutes of play.

But Grace missed its next seven field goals over the following five minutes; as a result, Huntington surged ahead 29-14.

The Lancers ended the half by missing six of their final seven field goals and went into halftime behind 40-22. Huntington shot 48 percent in the half, double the shooting percentage of Grace (24 percent).

Seven minutes into the second half, the Foresters still commanded a comfortable 54-35 advantage.

Grace refused to end the game without a fight, starting with a quick 9-0 run to put pressure on the home team. 

A hoop from Myles Johnson cut HU's edge to single digits at 61-52 with 5:20 remaining, and Matt Jennings scored on the next possession to trim the lead to seven.

Jennings scored five points in the final minute to bring Grace within four. Huntington then missed the front-end of a bonus free throw, but the Foresters got their own rebound and hit free throws to end the contest.

Haden Deaton led all players with 27 points, adding six boards and two assists, and Jennings added 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Johnson had 12 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks and 2 steals, and Jaret Sons chipped in 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. 

The Lancers return to Winona Lake next week for two games. Grace hosts Taylor on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Bethel for a doubleheader on Feb. 8.