Jakob Gibbs | Grace College Athletics
Jakob Gibbs | Grace College Athletics
Lancers put up 101 in NAIA opener
Tuesday's game was the First Round of the NAIA Tournament, presented by Ballogy. It marked Grace's first time hosting a part of the NAIA's national tournament for basketball.
The Lancers had five players score in double figures, led by 22 points by Jakob Gibbs. Gibbs also topped 1,000 points for his career in a memorable performance.
The Lancers' offense was dynamic throughout Tuesday's NAIA game. Grace shot 59 percent from the floor as a team, tied for the second-fewest on the season.
With the win, Grace (29-3) will advance to Wednesday's Second Round contest. The Lancers will host ninth-seeded Madonna at 6 p.m. in the round of 32. The winner will advance to Kansas City for the remainder of the 16-team bracket.
The Lancers gradually asserted their dominance over the course of the first half. Grace found an almost immediate advantage by attacking in the post.
Elijah Malone scored six quick points in the paint as Grace opened up a fast 11-3 lead. Midway into the half, the Lancers had a double-digit lead and never looked back.
Although the half was played physically, Grace excelled on the break. The Lancers poured in 19 fastbreak points and had 32 paint points. Carter Stoltzfus also canned a pair of triples in the half to boost the home team.
Grace led by as many as 22 with four minutes to go in the half and rolled into halftime with a 55-36 cushion.
The Lancers shot 60 percent from the floor in the half while the Rams were at 46 percent. Grace also held a 22-11 edge in rebounding and turned the ball over just three times.
Jakob Gibbs rattled off 13 points in the half, and Malone had 10 points.
The Rams did their best to keep the score close; CIU drilled a trio of early 3-pointers, pulling to within 12 at 63-51 just over four minutes into the second half.
But Grace kicked into high gear over the next five minutes. The Lancers blitzed the Rams with an 18-3 charge. Cade Gibbs poured in eight points during the run, and Jake Wadding scored seven more. Grace flew ahead 81-54 with 10 minutes left to play.
The Rams, who were making their first appearance in team history to the NAIA tournament, had little in response.
Grace maintained a lead of at least 20 down the stretch, and the Lancers were able to empty their bench with several minutes left in the contest.
Reserve Alex Darnell gave the crowd one final burst of applause; he buried a corner 3-pointer on his only attempt, pushing Grace above the century mark for the final 101-72 margin of victory.
Jakob Gibbs scored 22 points on 8 of 12 shooting for his 22 points, and he added 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. His brother Cade Gibbs produced 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds.
Malone needed 20 minutes to total 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, and Wadding added 13 points, 5 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Ian Scott stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists, Carter Stoltzfus scored nine points on a trio of 3s to go along with three assists, and Frankie Davidson added 8 points, 3 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Brett Sickafoose scored five points off the bench, and Brycen Graber tallied 2 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
Grace assisted on 26 of its 37 made field goals and had a 26:7 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Lancers are hoping to punch their ticket to Kansas City for the second consecutive season. The final site at KC is held from March 13-18.
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