MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The offense for Grace's men's basketball team misfired during a 79-66 defeat to Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday.

The No. 1 Lancers (22-2, 12-2 Crossroads League) lost for just the second time this season. Grace shot a season-low 33 percent from the floor, including 6 of 27 (22 percent) on 3-pointers for the game.

The Lancers immediately started in the hole as MVNU scored on the team's first three possessions.

Grace jumped to life with a furious 14-2 run to claim a 14-9 lead; Gavin Betten scored six of those points, and Hunter Walston had five.

The Lancers hit a lull midway into the half, however. Grace scored only two points over a four-minute stretch, allowing the Cougars to claw in front.

MVNU closed the half with a late 3-pointer, taking a 40-36 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Grace was unable to eat into the Cougars' lead. MVNU maintained a slight edge for the first 10 minutes of the half.

With 10 minutes remaining, Michael Wellman canned a 3-pointer, and Tyler Raasch sank two free throws to even the score at 56-56.

The Lancers' momentum hit a wall, however. Grace missed 12 shots in a row, including several attempts in the paint.

MVNU was happy to capitalize, building up a nine-point cushion with 4:33 on the clock.

Ian Raasch ended Grace's silence with a layup, and the Lancers went on to score on five consecutive possessions. But MVNU also scored regularly, preventing Grace from a quick recovery.

A triple from Gage Sefton brought the Lancers to within six at 72-66 with 1:23 on the clock, but it was too little, too late for Grace. MVNU finalized the upset at the free throw line.

The Lancers finished the game shooting 22 of 67, including 6 of 27 on 3s (22 percent). Grace made only 26 percent from the floor in the second half.

MVNU made 44 percent as a team and 37 percent from downtown.

Betten paced Grace's offense with 17 points and seven rebounds, and Walston recorded 14 points, 6 boards and 2 steals.

Sefton finished with 11 points and five boards, Wellman collected 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block, and Tyler Raasch added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Grady Carpenter passed out five assists with seven boards, and Ian Raasch had seven boards and four assists.

The Lancers have a one-game lead for first place in the league standings with four games remaining in the regular season. Grace will play at home twice next week, including Wednesday against Marian at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. versus No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan.