UPLAND – Grace’s men’s basketball team led by as many as 12 points in the second half on Tuesday, but the Lancers let one slip against Taylor.

The Trojans (10-13, 4-7 Crossroads League) used a 23-6 run to change the course of the game and knock off the No. 22 Lancers 79-76.

The first half was evenly played. The teams traded leads throughout the period with Taylor leading by as many as eight and Grace owning a four-point advantage.

Taylor’s zone defense gave Grace issues in the first half. Grace was held to 37-percent shooting, including 30 percent from beyond the arc.

Grace (17-6, 7-4 CL) had success exploiting the Trojans’ defense in the post. Grace scored 22 of its first 26 points in the paint, helping nullify its poor outside shooting.

The Lancers ended the half with a late spurt, using 3-pointers from Stephen Halstead and Chad Hoffer and a jumper by Logan Irwin to tie the score 34-34 at halftime.

Brandon Vanderhegghen led all players with 13 points in the first half.

Erik Bowen gave the Lancers a boost to start the second half with six quick points. Grace pulled ahead by 10 at 53-43, forcing Taylor into taking a timeout with 12:54 remaining.

Grace built up a 12-point edge with 12:26 remaining, but the Lancers hit a fatal cold stretch on offense. Grace struggled with just five points over the next seven minutes, allowing the Trojans back into the game.

Taylor drilled 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions to claim a five-point lead with 5:30 remaining.

Taylor stayed in front and held a seemingly comfortable 72-66 lead with 1:30 to play. But Grace had a late rally up its sleeve.

Vanderhegghen was fouled on a 3-point attempt, and he swished all three to cut Taylor’s lead in half. After the Trojans scored on their next possession, Vanderhegghen quickly drilled another triple to bring Grace within two.

A fullcourt defense employed by Grace created a turnover, and Vanderhegghen made 1-of-2 free throws to make the deficit one with 40 seconds remaining.

Taylor then missed the front end of a bonus free throw, but Grace misfired on a potential go-ahead basket. The Trojans hit five more foul shots over the final seconds as Grace was unable to make up the deficit.

A desperation halfcourt heave from Tre Olive was off the mark, and the Lancers lost by three.

Grace shot 43 percent from the floor as a team while Taylor hit 48 percent. The Trojans were also a lethal 10-of-20 from the 3-point line.

Vanderhegghen had 26 points to lead Grace, adding five rebounds. Bowen added a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards, and Logan Irwin had 8 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds.

Kyle Fillman shot 5-of-7 from the floor for 10 points, and Caleb Featherston chipped in five points and two steals.

The Lancers will stay on the road Saturday, traveling to No. 4 and league-leading St. Francis for a 3 p.m. tipoff.