Jan. 19, 2008

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - In a Top 25 battle in the Mid-Central College Conference, the No. 11 Bethel (Ind.) Pilots (18-3, 6-1) visited host No. 14 Grace (Ind.) Lancers (16-5, 5-2) on Saturday (Jan. 19) afternoon. When the dust settled Bethel escaped with a 66-65 win to take sole possession of first place in the MCC.

The Lancers had their chances as Bethel post Will Walker picked up his second foul two minutes into the first half then received a technical giving him three presonal fouls, but Grace couldn't capitalize on the substitution as the Lancers led 34-31 at the half. Bethel came out in the second half aggressive as they erased the four point Grace lead by a Walker layup and a pair of Lettinga free throws. The next six minutes would see Bethel open up a 9 point lead at 52-43 with 12:34 remaining in the game.

Grace answered the bell though as they put together a 20-11 run over the next ten minutes to tie the score at 63-63. Grace would take a two point lead on a pair of Kaiser free throws but Bethel's Walker would answer with one free throw of his own to bring the Grace lead to 65-64 with 1:17 remaining. After a defensive stand Walker was fouled with :13 remaining as he made good on both attempts to give the Pilots a 66-65 advantage.

Grace would come down and get Marcus Moore free on the baseline as he drove to the hoop kicking out to teammate Michael Wienhorst, who had already connected on three from down town, as his jumper was off the mark as the horn sounded. Marcus Moore and Austin Kaiser led the Lancers with 15 each.

Grace is back in action on Wednesday evening January 23 at Huntington. Tip off is at 7:00 p.m.