HUNTINGTON, Ind. - For the first time this season, Grace's men's basketball team found itself on the losing side of a game.

The NAIA No. 1 Lancers (24-1, 14-1 Crossroads League) lost 99-79 at Huntington on Wednesday. It marked Grace's first loss in 336 days (March 15, 2023).

The Foresters (17-8, 10-5 CL) had the hot hand in the first half, riding an unstoppable shooting performance to pick up the upset victory.

Grace suffered its worst 3-point shooting performance of the season, making just 5.3 percent (1 of 19) from beyond the arc. Huntington was the opposite; the Foresters canned 61 percent of their 3-pointers, including 10 triples before halftime.

Elijah Malone was a bright spot on offense with 22 points on 10 of 13 shooting, and Ian Scott flirted with a triple-double with his stat line of 17 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

Huntington began the game well, hitting 3-pointers on its first two possessions.

Grace, on the other hand, missed three straight shots in the paint, including a dunk.

Cade Gibbs put Grace on the scoreboard with a putback layup, and the Lancers wasted little time erasing the slight deficit.

Ian Scott was a force with six early points, and a triple from Cade Gibbs tied the game at 11-11.

Huntington continued to shoot the three-ball well early, responding with another triple to regain the lead.

Elijah Malone gave Grace its first lead with two quick scores at the rim, and the teams were deadlocked at 21-21 midway through the opening half.

But the Foresters' perimeter shooting kept the home team ahead. HU made nine of its first 14 shots from downtown (64 percent).

Grace made just 1 of 5 on its 3s to start the game, and they also missed three of their first five free throws.

Huntington pulled ahead by 18 (Grace's largest deficit of the season) as Grace's offense sputtered in the half. The Lancers also had nine first-half turnovers to hurt their cause.

Jake Wadding helped reignite Grace's offense with six consecutive points, but the Foresters could not be stopped in attack.

Huntington charged into halftime with a 51-35 lead. The Foresters made 10 triples in the half, far above their average mark of eight made 3-pointers per game.

Grace shot 47 percent from the floor, including 1 of 10 from beyond the arc.

The Lancers began the second half by attacking the rim. Grace roared to life with the first five points of the half.

But as soon as Grace picked up momentum, the Lancers turned the ball over twice in a row. HU took advantage with five easy points to reestablish a comfortable lead.

While the Lancers continued to miss the mark on 3-pointers, the Foresters refused to miss. Grace missed 18 of their first 19 triples, while HU sizzled along at 65 percent.

The Lancers were unable to make another significant run, and the Foresters held on for the victory.

Grace shot 49 percent from the floor and 5.3 percent on 3-pointers; HU shot 61 percent from the floor and 61 percent on 3s.

The Lancers shot 14 more free throws and grabbed 10 more rebounds than the Foresters, but Grace could not make up for the difference in 3-point shooting.

Jakob Gibbs finished the game with nine points and three assists, Wadding had eight points and five boards, and Gage Sefton scored eight points.

Cade Gibbs notched 7 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, and Brycen Graber passed out five assists.

Grace will look to rebound on Saturday in one of the marquee matchups of the season. Grace will host rival No. 22 Bethel for a doubleheader. The women will start at 1 p.m. with the men to tip off at 3 p.m.

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