MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #1 Lancers of Grace College snapped Huntington’s seven game win streak Wednesday night by handing their visitors an 84-69 loss in front of a packed Manhattan Orthopaedic Capital Center. It’s the first time this season the Foresters have been held below 70 points.

The Lancers, ranked tops in the nation since November 29, remain perfect on the year at 16-0 which includes a 6-0 league record. All of Grace’s wins have been by double digits with tonight’s contest no different.

The Foresters (10-6, 3-3) came out ready to do business with the nation’s best, forcing three ties early on before taking an 11-7 lead thanks to four straight points by Landen Jordan. Another lead toggle and two stalemates later, the Lancers took what ended up a permanent lead of 15-12 by the 13:08 mark.

Over the next six minutes, the hosts gradually pulled away to take their first double digit disparity of 30-20. HU played within a point of Grace over the final seven minutes of the period for a 45-34 difference by the break.

HU came out raring to go to start the second half by scoring six points in the first 90 seconds to close the gap to 45-40. Neither team scored a field goal over the next three minutes for a 46-41 contest until Elijah Moore knocked down a three at the 15:24 mark to get the home crowd back on their feet.

Unfortunately, the triple jumpstarted the hosts’ offense while the Foresters’ scoring drought remained. As it turned out, HU was stuck on 41 for over six minutes which allowed the hosts to build a twenty point lead of 61-41 by the midway point of the frame.

Gage McGuire finally scored down low to get his team back on track. He finished with five points over the next three minutes to rally the Foresters to within 12 at 68-56 with seven minutes to go. The Lancers, who boast the fourth highest scoring average in the nation, responded swiftly and decisively with a 12-0 run for their largest lead of the night at 80-56 with four minutes remaining.

While Huntington scored 13 of the game’s final 17 points, the damage had already been done. Jordan finished with 17 points and six rebounds to lead HU in both categories. The Lancers held Zach Goodline and Lane Sparks in check as both finished with 12 points. Drew Goodline rounded out the guests’ double digit scoring with ten.

Cade and Jakob Gibbs each poured in 19 points to pace the Lancers. Ian Scott finished with a double double of 16 points and 11 rebounds while Elijah Malone tossed in ten points and grabbed eight boards.

Next up for Alford and crew is a home game against Spring Arbor on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.