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NCCAA Tournament

WINONA LAKE, Ind. -The Grace College Lancers men’s basketball kicked off the 2016 NCCAA National Championship quarterfinals with a 85-66 win over the Alice Lloyd Eagles on Wednesday night.

Grace started with great confidence in front of an energetic home crowd at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center. Brandon Vanderhegghen led GC early in the half with 3-pointers on back-to-back plays, and the Lancers stayed ahead for most of the period.

Alice Lloyd trailed by just 3 (19-16) with 9:04 remaining in the half before the hosts closed on a 25-11 burst and went into half with a commanding 44-27 cushion.

At halftime, Vanderhegghen led all players with 15 points on a trio of 3’s. Grace shot 46 percent from the floor and forced Alice Lloyd into 33 percent shooting.

Before two minutes had expired in the second half, the Lancers had increased their lead to 21 after consecutive fast break baskets by Caleb Featherston and Logan Irwin. 

Despite 10 second half points from Eagle Mason Pack, the deficit stayed around 20 for the remainder of the night.

For the victors, Vanderhegghen led all players with 25 points. Irwin chipped in with 12 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals.Erik Bowen produced 14 points in 18 minutes of action while Tre Olive finished with 10 points and two steals.

For ALC (18-14), Pack sank 7-10 shots including 3-5 from deep to lead the way with 19 points. Tyler Rogers added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks while Dondre Warren contributed 10 points and game highs of 10 rebounds and 6 blocks.

The victors shot 46.3% for the game compared to Alice Lloyd with 41%. The Lancers shot 16-21 (76.2%) from the free throw line compared to the Eagles 10-12 (83.3%).

The Lancers (20-13) clinched a spot in the national semifinals on Thursday at 8:45 PM. and will play the top seed Emmanuel (Georgia) Tuesday at 8:45 PM. ALC will play eighth seeded Central Christian (Kansas) Thursday at 1:45pm.

To keep up-to-date with the rest of the tournament, visit NCCAA Championship Central.

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