The Tigers played Aquinas College (NAIA II) tonight and lost a 68-67 thriller.  “No disrespect to Aquinas but we played with zero enthusiasm tonight and that was the difference.  They wanted it more.  We should have won that game,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “I thought we executed our defensive plan well but we gave up too many second chance points which is uncharacteristic of this team.” 

The Tigers suffered just their third defeat of the season and have lost the three games by a combined 8 points.  Cory Jamieson led Grace with 20 points and Dan Dame and Matt Kurtz each had 14.  Durham and Dame each had 7 rebounds.  Allen Durham, who still doesn’t seem to be playing 100% healthy, was held to a season low 7 points on 3 of 11 shooting. 

Grace led most of the game and opened up a 10 point lead in the first half and led by 9 at the half.  The Tigers had more than one opportunity to win it.  Durham missed a lay in to take the lead and then Aquinas missed their opportunity to increase their lead.  The Tigers then had the ball with 5 seconds remaining at half court, down one.  The inbounds pass to Durham went wide.  “I thought we drew up the right play at the end.  Had the pass been on target, Allen was open for an easy bucket.  I told the players after the game that it should have never come down to that.  We had too many mistakes tonight on missed assignments.  You can’t beat a team like this and make mistakes,” said Bailey.

The Tigers will not get much rest as they play Saturday at NAIA #3 Cornerstone University.  Game time is 5:00pm.

Read the article in the Grand Rapids Press: http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2010/12/aquinas_limits_allen_durham_ho.html