Lancers Set Program Scoring Record

Elijah Malone helped Grace to a program-record 137 points Thursday night in a win over Oakland City. Photo provided

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

FORT WAYNE – In just 40 minutes of basketball on Thursday night, Grace’s men’s basketball team scored 137 points.

The Lancers set a single-game scoring record in a road game against Oakland City, winning 137-105. The game was played at the University of St. Francis.

Grace’s 137 points beat the previous record by one point, which was set in the 1992-93 season during a win against Spring Arbor.

The record was officially set in the final minute when Warsaw graduate Jaylen Reese drilled a 3-pointer in the left corner for Grace’s 137th point. The shot marked the first varsity collegiate points in Reese’s career.

Incredibly, eight players for Grace scored in double figures. Every player for Grace who saw time scored in the game; each Lancer apart from Reese (3 points) scored at least eight points.

Haden Deaton and Matt Jennings only needed 20 minutes of action to score 19 points apiece; Deaton shot 9 of 11 from the floor and added four assists and four steals.

Cade Gibbs poured in 17 points, 8 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals while shooting 7 of 9 overall, and his brother Jakob Gibbs added 16 points and six rebounds.

Frankie Davidson finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while playing 18 minutes, and Elijah Malone added 12 points and nine boards.

Myles Johnson (11 points), Hank Smith (10 points), Jake Wadding (9 points) and Eddie Gill IV (8 points) rounded out Grace’s scoring.

Grace started the game by scoring six straight points, and the Lancers never trailed the rest of the game.

The Lancers were lethal in the early stages on the fastbreak against the Mighty Oaks’ press. Grace eventually led 29-14 after four quick points from freshman Elijah Malone. Malone threw down dunks on back-to-back post moves.

Oakland City played its best stretch late in the first half. The Mighty Oaks capitalized on sloppy play from Grace, using a 15-5 run to chop Grace’s margin down to five.

But Grace flexed its muscles over the final five minutes of the half, pulling away 57-41 as the teams entered halftime.

The Lancers needed just five minutes of play in the second half to extend their lead to 30. Grace cruised to the final buzzer, leading by at least 30 for the final 13:27 of regulation.

As a team Grace shot 63 percent from the floor. Grace scored 54 fast break points to go along with 82 points in the paint. Oakland City shot 51 percent from the floor but committed 27 turnovers.

Grace will return home on Saturday for the Crossroads League opener. The Lancers host Taylor on Saturday at 1 p.m.