Grace Basketball: Homesiders Take Polston Title
WINONA LAKE – A balanced effort from Grace’s men’s basketball team led to a 72-68 win over No. 23 Rochester on Saturday.
The Lancers (8-1) won the Wyndham Garden Terry Polston Hoops for Hope thanks to a strong defensive effort and a key defensive stops.
Erik Bowen was named the Tournament MVP after his second double-double of the weekend with 12 points and 13 boards. Logan Godfrey was also named All-Tournament after scoring a game-high 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor and 6-of-6 from the foul line.
The teams could not be separated throughout the first half. The lead was never greater than six for either team in a back-and-forth affair.
A basket from Charlie Warner in the final minute before halftime tied the game 30-30. Grace held the Warriors (10-1) to 36 percent shooting in the first half, including 3-of-11 from beyond the arc.
In the second half, Grace began to gain separation with a 12-0 run. Chad Hoffer scored eight of his 10 points during the run to lead the Lancers’ charge.
Grace’s momentum continued as the Lancers eventually grabbed a commanding 50-33 advantage. Overall, Grace started the half on a 20-3 run.
The game was far from finished, however. Rochester slowly chipped away at Grace’s cushion, quickly bringing the deficit down to single digits.
The Lancers used their muscle down the stretch to earn tough points. Rochester fouled out two of its starters in the final six minutes, and Grace earned several key trips to the foul line.
Rochester continued to fight and did not look interested in losing its first game of the season. The Warriors clawed back to within three points at 68-65 with one minute to play, and Grace missed a shot on its next possession. The Lancers earned an important defensive stop on the next play, and Stephen Halstead calmly hit two free throws with 16 ticks on the clock.
Rochester buried its 10th 3-pointer of the game on the next possession to trim Grace’s lead to two, but Halstead again sank two foul shots to ice the game with nine seconds remaining.
Rochester, who was 10-0 entering Saturday’s game, was held to 39 percent shooting for the game. The Warriors were also outrebounded by 11.
Warner was a key offensive cog off the bench, hitting 5-of-7 from the floor and both of his 3-pointers for 12 points. Hoffer was a perfect 4-for-4 shooting for 10 points before fouling out.
Jaret Sons tallied seven points and seven boards, and Braxton Linville added 5 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds.
The Lancers will quickly shift their attention to the Crossroads League. Grace begins league play on Tuesday at No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan, the defending national champion. The game at IWU will be a women’s/men’s doubleheader starting at 6 p.m.