The Grace Lancers' promising men's basketball season concluded in the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championships with a 99-86 loss to Ave Maria. Finishing with an impressive 31-4 record, the young team, devoid of any seniors, made its fourth consecutive appearance in the NAIA Elite Eight. Despite a strong start, Grace struggled with shooting, making only 41 percent of their shots and a mere 17 percent from the 3-point range, as Ave Maria capitalized by hitting 15 3-pointers at a 48 percent clip.

By the Numbers
  • Grace shot 1 of 18 on 3-point attempts in the second half.
  • Ave Maria made 15 3-pointers, shooting 48 percent from beyond the arc.
State of Play
  • The Lancers were leading 13-9 but quickly fell behind as Ave Maria took control.
  • Grace cut the deficit to five points with just over 11 minutes left, but struggled to maintain momentum.
What's Next

As the Lancers look ahead, they will focus on rebuilding and developing their young roster after a strong season. The return of key players will be vital as they aim to improve their shooting and overall performance for the next campaign.

Bottom Line

This season was marked by significant achievements for Grace, showcasing the potential of their young team, but highlights the need for improvement in critical moments, particularly in shooting accuracy.