|
01.23.08 - After eight consecutive losses to the Foresters (15-7,
5-3), NAIA Division II 14th-ranked Grace College (17-5, 6-2), managed
to break the streak with a buzzer-beating jumper from Kyle Johnson to
down HU 76-74.
The game, which
also was a battle for sole possession of second place in the MCC,
lived up to its billing as a hotly contested match-up with eight ties
and 10 lead changes throughout. Grace led most of the first half
by 3-5 points with their largest advantage coming at 33-24 with six
minutes to play. The Foresters were able to rein them in down
the stretch and headed to the locker room down two at 43-41.
The first 10
minutes of the second period went back and forth with both teams
trying to find some momentum. With 9:31 to play, a trey from
Luke Smith gave the Foresters a 60-57 lead and seemed to spark HU.
After Marcus Moore missed a 3-point attempt at Grace's end, Andrew
Mock nailed another three to give the Foresters their largest lead of
the game at 63-57 with 7:54 on the clock. But the Lancers wouldn't go
away. Grace climbed back in front at 72-71 on a traditional
3-point play by Moore at the two minute mark.
On HU's next
possession, Doug Sheckler was fouled and he knotted the score at 72 by
hitting the second of the two free throws. Sheckler then rebounded a
Moore miss and put the Foresters back on top at 74-72 with a jumper
with 1:18 to go. Johnson answered for the Lancers with a jumper
of his own to tie the score for the eighth time at 74-74 with 44
second left. HU used the clock and Kyle Benge drove as the shot
clock was winding down, but he couldn't connect on his lay-up attempt
with nine ticks left. Moore grabbed Benge's rebound and drove it
up the floor to set up Johnson's game-winning buzzer-beater.
Johnson, who had
the hot hand all night, finished with a game-high 32 points in Grace's
winning effort. Moore joined him in double figures with 13
points. Sheckler paced the Foresters with 26 points and seven
rebounds. Kevin Kyle added 13 points and seven boards, Smith
finished with 12 points and Benge chipped in 11.
Box Score
|