WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's men's basketball team opened the postseason with another win, defeating Spring Arbor 88-72 on Wednesday in the Crossroads League Tournament quarterfinals.

The win sends Grace to the semifinals of the CL Tournament. Grace will host fourth-seed Bethel on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the semifinals. 

Grace is in pursuit of a fifth consecutive CL Tournament crown.

The Lancers (26-3) were led by the stellar duo of Gavin Betten (24 points) and Hunter Walston (20), paving the way for Grace's win.

Most of the first half was a fast, free-flowing affair. There were more made 3-pointers (13) in the half than fouls called (10) as both teams were deadly from deep.

Grace scored the first four points of the game, but it was SAU who started more in sync. SAU rattled off 10 points in a row.

The Cougars hit a trio of triples in the first five minutes, lending to an early 15-8 lead on the scoreboard.

Grace responded by attacking the paint. Gavin Betten spearheaded the run with six points in two minutes, and Ian Raasch's layup capped off a 16-4 run. 

The Lancers then took a turn attacking from deep. Grace splashed five 3-pointers in a 5-minute span. Hunter Walston was responsible for three of those trifectas as Grace built a double-digit lead.

The half ended on a last-second 3-pointer from Gage Sefton, handing Grace a 49-34 lead at halftime.

Walston scored a game-high 15 points at the break. Grace shot 63 percent overall and 50 percent on 3s. SAU stayed within range thanks to six triples of its own.

Grace scored on its first two possessions of the second half to boost its cushion to 19 points (53-34), but the Cougars were not prepared to fade.

Spring Arbor quickly erupted with a 15-4 run, slashing Grace's once-comfortable lead down to six. Tyler Raasch stopped the run with a basket, but the Cougars continued to score and pulled within four with 13:52 remaining.

The Lancers' offense kicked into gear, scoring nine points over the next two minutes. Betten scored the final four, helping Grace to an 11-point edge.

The lead blossomed to 16 after a 3-pointer from Gage Sefton with 8:48 on the clock.

The Cougars kept pace with Grace for the final several minutes, but the Lancers refused to surrender their double-digit cushion. Grace led by at least 11 points for the final 11:38 of regulation, knocking the Cougars out of the tournament.

Grace finished the game shooting 55 percent from the floor compared to 49 percent for SAU. Grace won the rebounding battle by nine (36-27) and the turnover battle by five (12 to 17).

Betten led all players with a career-high 24 points. He shot 10 of 12 from the floor, 2 for 3 on 3s and 2 of 2 on free throws, adding 6 assists, 4 boards, 1 steal and 1 block.

Walston also hit a career high with 20 points, 4 assists and 4 steals. Sefton was steady with 11 points, 9 boards and 6 assists.

Tyler Raasch scored 15 points on 7 of 11 shooting, Grady Carpenter had 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals, Cannen Houser tallied 6 points, 3 assists and 3 boards, and Luke Bricker chipped in 2 points, 3 assists and 3 boards.

Saturday's semifinal can be watched free online on the Urban Edge Network (here).