Men's basketball comes up short in regional championship

GALLATIN, Tenn. - The magic ran out for Great Lakes Christian College's men's basketball team on Saturday, as they could not pull off the comeback against top-seed Grace Christian University in the NCCAA Division II Mid-East regional final, losing 84-71.

The Tigers jumped out to an early double-digit lead, but Great Lakes closed the gap to two by halftime, trailing 39-37. Grace once again took the initiative in the second half, building a 22-point lead. GLCC mounted a comeback, but could only draw within five, and Grace pulled away to seal an 84-71 win and another regional banner for Aldrich Athletic Center.

"Credit to Grace for winning," said head coach Richard Westerlund. "They made big play after big play. They hit us early and kept us down the entire game. I think all the comebacks, the physicality and all the minutes played caught up to us in the last five minutes. I was proud, the way we stayed with it and kept competing."

Trent Temple led Great Lakes with 19 points. Jalen Huff picked up a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Austin Jackson led Grace with 22 points.

"Unfortunately, our shot selection was really poor at times and we played a lot of individual basketball. We can't beat Grace that way; they are disciplines and make you pay for mistakes like that. I am hopeful we will learn from this game and game prepared for the national tournament."

Great Lakes shot 27/66 (40.9%) from the floor and 6/26 (23.1%) from beyond the arc. Grace made 34 of 66 field goal attempts (51.5%) and seven of 16 three-point tries (43.8%).

Up Next: Great Lakes will head to Joplin, Mo. for the national championship tournament, beginning on March 12.