No. 2 Grace Beats No. 3 IWU to Clinch Crossroads League Title

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - For the fourth straight season, Grace's men's basketball team can claim the title: Champions of the Crossroads League.

The Lancers clinched the regular season championship on Saturday afternoon in a thrilling top-three battle. No. 2 Grace used an impressive second half, defeating No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan 83-78 at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

Grace (24-2, 14-2 CL) has now won four consecutive regular-season championships in the Crossroads League.

Gage Sefton was a force, powering his way to 29 points and 13 rebounds. He shot 9 of 13 from the floor, 2 of 4 on 3s and 9 of 10 on free throws.

The first half was a physical challenge. Both teams fought for every square inch of the court, fitting for a top-five battle.

Grace roared in front to start the game on the back of a torrid offensive performance. The Lancers scored on their first six possessions. Sefton scored five points in a row, and Tyler Raasch capped off the run with a triple as the Lancers led 12-5.

But the Wildcats battled back, taking advantage of early foul trouble for the Lancers. IWU used a 9-2 run to tie the score and took the lead a few minutes later.

The Wildcats opened up a seven-point lead with eight minutes left in the half, marking their largest lead of the game.

Sefton did his best to keep the score within range, scoring three quick points and then canning a 3-pointer with five minutes remaining.

Michael Wellman ended the half with a deep triple, and the Lancers trailed 43-40 at halftime.

Sefton and Tyler Raasch carried the offensive load for Grace in the half. Sefton muscled his way to a game-high 15 points in the first half, and Tyler racked up 12 points.

Grace shot slightly better than IWU in the half (48 percent vs 42 percent), but the Wildcats only committed two turnovers compared to five for Grace.

In the second half, the Lancers played a lineup consisting mostly of freshmen and Sefton for large portions of the second half. The young squad was not fazed by the magnitude of the game, trading shot-for-shot with the Wildcats.

Wellman scored five early points in the second half, but IWU still held a six-point advantage with 13:55 remaining.

Grace's defense prevented the Wildcats from building a larger lead, allowing Grace to pick away at the deficit.

An and-1 from Gavin Batten pulled Grace to within one at 57-56. Cole Hayworth converted a tough layup at the rim to tie the score, and Sefton pushed the Lancers on top 60-58 with 10:26 remaining.

IWU steadied itself with six unanswered points, including a triple, to regain a four-point advantage.

But Grace held IWU to just one point over nearly four minutes, paving the way for another run.

The run offensively was powered by freshmen. The Lancers enjoyed an 11-1 run, scoring all 11 points with freshmen. 

Betten started the run with two free throws and a layup, quickly tying the score. Wellman then swished a 3-pointer to give Grace the lead for good.

The run was continued with another layup by Betten and a contested finish in the lane by Grady Carpenter. Carpenter's layup increased Grace's lead to 71-65 with 5:38 on the clock.

The Lancers continued to score, attacking the rim with a pair of layups to open up an eight-point edge.

The Wildcats did their best to rally, pulling within three with 1:51 remaining. Cannen Houser then provided a timely shot, driving to the hoop and scoring on Grace's next play.

Both teams tactically fouled over the final minute. Sefton put the game to rest by making 6 of 6 from the foul line over the last 24 seconds. He was serenaded with chants of "M.V.P." from the raucous home crowd during his final trip to the charity stripe, a fitting end to a game-clinching performance.

Grace ended the game shooting 49 percent overall and 35 percent on 3-pointers. The Lancers only turned the ball just once in the second half.

The Wildcats made only 38 percent of their field goals in the game.

Grace outscored IWU 33-19 in bench points and 42-30 in points in the paint.

Wellman amassed 14 points with five rebounds, and Betten collected 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

Tyler Raasch posted 12 points, 4 boards, 3 assists and 3 blocked shots, Carpenter notched seven points and seven assists, and Houser tallied 4 points, 4 boards and 3 assists.

The Lancers end the regular season next week. Grace will play at No. 11 Bethel on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The regular season finale is at home on Saturday, Feb. 21, against Goshen. 

The Crossroads League Tournament is scheduled to begin Feb. 25 with the quarterfinals. Grace has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the CL Tournament, but the Lancers can clinch the regular-season title outright with a win in either game next week.