INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - A strong finish propelled Grace's men's basketball team past Marian on Saturday afternoon.

The No. 14 Lancers (16-4, 8-2 Crossroads League) ended the game on a 24-9 run to win 83-76.

Ian Scott and Ian Raasch scored a team-high 18 points, and Justin DeGraaf was a catalyst off the bench with 16 points.

Grace opened the scoring with a dunk from Scott, but tough defense from the Knights kept Grace at six points for the first five minutes. The Lancers had four turnovers during that opening five-minute stretch.

The Knights used Grace's slow start to charge ahead 15-8.

At the midway mark of the first half, Grace had 11 points, 6 turnovers and 8 missed field goals (3 of 11), finding itself behind 19-11.

DeGraaf helped break the ice with a 3-pointer with 9:32 left in the half. He added two free throws on the next possession, trimming the deficit to three.

With five minutes to go, Grace began to exploit the Knights through transition scoring. Layups from Scott and Raasch helped Grace close the gap to one.

The teams traded scores over the final few minutes, and a late turnaround jumper from Brycen Graber cut Marian's lead down to 38-37 as the game reached halftime.

Grace shot 42 percent from the floor in the half, including 1 of 9 (11 percent) on 3-pointers. But the Lancers helped themselves by grabbing 10 offensive rebounds and getting to the free throw line (12 of 16).

Raasch produced nine points to lead Grace at halftime, and Scott had six points with three assists.

Carter Stoltzfus hit a 3-pointer in the opening seconds of the second half, giving Grace its first lead since the score was 2-0.

The teams traded small leads over the next several minutes. Marian converted a 3-point play to lead by four with 10:46 remaining, and the Knights held a small cushion for the next five minutes. With six minutes to play, Grace found itself trailing by six.

The closing six minutes belonged to Grace, however.

DeGraaf provided another timely scoring boost off the bench. He converted an and-1 and followed up with a 3-pointer to level the score at 67-67.

After a steal from Stoltzfus, Graber hit two free throws as Grace pulled in front 69-67 with 4:30 on the clock.

DeGraaf sank two more foul shots on the next possession after another defensive stop.

The Lancers continued to attack the basket and were rewarded with free throws, extending the lead to five with 2:30 to play.

Grace hit eight straight free throws during one stretch, and Marian was held scoreless on the offensive end.

The Lancers hit five more free throws over the final minute as the Knights tried to extend the game, but Grace did more than enough at the foul line to ice the win.

After a sluggish first half offensively, the Lancers turned in a sharp performance in the second half.

Grace committed only one turnover after halftime, shooting 56 percent as a team from the floor and shooting 23 free throws.

Scott finished the game with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block, and Raasch had 18 points and four rebounds.

DeGraaf collected 16 points with four boards, shooting 8 of 9 from the free throw line.

Stoltzfus tallied 9 points, 4 steals, 4 boards and 2 assists, Graber had 8 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds, and Gage Sefton added six points with two steals.

Hunter Walston amassed five points and a team-high seven rebounds, and Brett Sickafoose added three points and three boards.

The Lancers are home for both games next week. On Wednesday, Grace will square off with Indiana Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Lancers will host Spring Arbor at 3 p.m.