GOSHEN, Ind. - The Goshen men's basketball team had a season-high 46 rebounds on Wednesday night but couldn't convert them into points - shooting just 30.8%. Grace beat Goshen 91-67 on Fight Together Night as the teams united to bring awareness to how many people's lives are affected by cancer while raising awareness for Grace freshman Hagen Knepp.
The Maple Leafs also had season-highs in offensive rebounds (14) and shot attempts (78). The Lancers, who just moved from the seven spot to the four spot in the new NAIA rankings released on Wednesday, had their share of season highs as well. They notched 44 defensive rebounds and tied a season-best with ten blocks. Grace leads the NAIA in defensive rebounds, averaging over 32 per game.
The Lancers had 50 points by the halftime whistle with a 23-point lead. The lead was as large as 38 in the second half, but Goshen went on a 22-8 run to end the game.
Kaden Johnson had a double-double for Goshen with 14 points and 13 rebounds. It is his second double-double in the last three games and his fourth of the season.
Greg Johnson II had seven rebounds, his second most of the season, with eight points off the bench.
Caleb Wright had ten points and five rebounds, and
Judah Simfukwe had nine points and five rebounds.
Jo Kynard finished with 11 points. Kynard has scored in double figures in three games this season, and they have all come since January 28.
Jakob Gibbs led Grace with 20 points. Elijah Malone and Ian Scott each had three blocks, while Scott and Wadding both brought in nine rebounds.
Players and fans wore a variety of colors to the game to represent different types of cancer and how cancer affects so many people. The game also served as an opportunity to donate to Grace freshman Hagen Knepp, who was diagnosed with a rare form of appendix cancer during the preseason.
With Mount Vernon Nazarene's victory over Bethel earlier in the night, the Cougars eliminated Goshen's chances of making the Crossroads League tournament. The Leafs host Spring Arbor on Saturday, February 11, at 3:00 pm. Senior
Kedrick Bibby will be recognized before the game, and the ECoSistema Pep Band will perform through the doubleheader.