Top-Ranked Lancers Top No. 23 Taylor to Remain Unbeaten

UPLAND, Ind. - Grace's men's basketball team cooled off a red-hot Taylor squad, taking down the No. 23 Trojans 83-70 on Saturday.

With the win, the No. 1 Lancers move two games ahead of Taylor atop the Crossroads League standings. The Trojans (16-4, 8-2 CL) entered Saturday riding a 12-game winning streak; their last loss was also to Grace on Nov. 19.

Grace is now enjoying a historic 20-0 perfect season, including a 10-0 mark in CL play. Grace's 20-game unbeaten streak to begin the year is tied for the longest perfect start to a season in team history. The 2023-24 team began the year 24-0.

The Lancers are the last remaining undefeated team in the NAIA.

Gage Sefton powered Grace with a double-double performance of 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.

The first half began evenly as each team hit an early 3-pointer. 

A few minutes into the half, each team hit a dry spell on offense. Grace went more than four minutes without scoring as turnovers plagued the Lancers.

Michael Wellman gave Grace a needed spark off the bench, however. The freshman drilled a trio of 3-pointers over a three-minute span, pushing Grace ahead 18-16.

But the Trojans countered calmly. A 9-2 run allowed the Trojans to climb on top by five.

The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes.

Sefton provided a jolt of offense, scoring seven points in two minutes to tie the score at 30s.

The Lancers then began to turn defensive stops into transition baskets. An and-1 from Gavin Betten was followed up by two free throws from Sefton.

Grace went into halftime with a slight 43-40 lead. The Lancers shot 52 percent from the floor and 60 percent on 3-pointers (6 of 10). 

The Trojans had the rebounding edge (18-12) thanks to six offensive boards. Taylor made half of their field goals.

Sefton amassed 11 points with three steals in the half, Wellman scored 10, and Ian Raasch added eight points with five assists.

The second half began at a furious pace. Grace quickly opened up a 7-point edge after a layup from Sefton.

Taylor did its best to keep pace, but the Lancers' offense was sizzling. Grace attacked the rim relentlessly, using layups from Raasch, Hunter Walston and Sefton to open up a 10-point lead with 10 minutes remaining (65-55).

The lead continued to balloon as a steal and slam from Cannen Houser pushed the Lancers in front 69-55 with 7:27 on the clock.

A few minutes later, Grace opened up a commanding 19-point edge after Sefton scored another layup with 3:20 on the clock.

The Lancers burned up as much clock as possible over the final minutes, coasting to a comfortable double-digit win. It marks Grace's fifth win over a ranked team this year.

Grace held Taylor to 30 points in the second half; the Trojans shot 40 percent from the floor after halftime.

Ian Raasch also stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 block, and Wellman tallied 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Wellman shot 4 of 6 on 3s, scoring 15 points in 23 minutes.

Tyler Raasch produced nine points with three blocks, Walston notched eight points and four boards, and Grady Carpenter scored seven with a pair of assists.

Houser collected 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and Betten had five points with four boards.

Grace shot 54 percent from the floor and 47 percent on triples. The Lancers finished with a 38-30 advantage in rebounds.

Next up, Grace will play at home on Wednesday. The Lancers will tangle with St. Francis on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.