SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - A six-game winning streak came to a halt on Wednesday for Grace's men's basketball team.
The No. 14 Lancers (7-3, 2-1 Crossroads League) were quiet offensively, falling on the road to Spring Arbor 76-61.
Grace finished the game shooting 37 percent from the floor as a team. The percentage paled in comparison to SAU's 55 percent. Grace also made just 18 percent (4 of 22) from the 3-point line.
The Cougars, who are receiving votes in the NAIA, were quick to pounce ahead on Wednesday. SAU erupted with a 17-5 run as the Lancers struggled to slow down the Cougars.
Brycen Graber did his best to keep the Lancers afloat, scoring eight points over the first eight minutes with a pair of triples.
Grace faced a 21-10 deficit but steadily chipped away at SAU's lead.
Gage Sefton was a physical force, helping Grace bounce back. He sank six free throws in a two-minute span, bringing Grace to within two at 33-31.
SAU poured in nine points over the final 2:20, however, building a 42-35 lead as the game reached halftime.
In the first half, Grace shot just 44 percent from the floor compared to 57 percent for SAU. Sefton's 14 points charged the Lancers before halftime.
Sefton, Ian Raasch and Ian Scott combined for 14 of Grace's first 16 points of the second half; the Lancers battled back within three points at 52-49.
But Grace's offense fell flat during the middle portions of the half. The Lancers mustered only eight points over nearly seven minutes, and the Cougars took advantage to build a comfortable lead.
The Lancers trailed by a dozen with four minutes to play, and Grace was unable to generate a dramatic comeback. The Cougars held on to win.
Sefton led Grace with 18 points and three rebounds, going 10 for 10 from the free throw line.
Scott finished with 16 points, 8 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, Raasch had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, and Graber tallied 8 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. No other player for Grace topped three points.
The Lancers will look to rebound on Saturday. Grace travels to Taylor on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Grace returns home on Dec. 13 for Elementary Day. Grace's men's and women's teams will host a mid-day doubleheader (11 a.m. women's; 1 p.m. men's), allowing area elementary schools to pack the arena during the school day in a memorable event.
