Matt Kurtz defends the ball

The Tigers traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to take on NCAA II University of Wisconsin Parkside tonight but could not hold on to a lead it had for most of the game and lost a 76-68 decision.  Grace jumped out to a 12-0 lead and never trailed in the first half taking a 35-29 lead into the locker room.  The Rangers came out firing hitting two three’s and another jumper to take their first lead of the game at the 17:05 mark.  The game was tied or had a lead change fourteen times after that time with Grace’s biggest lead at 57-52 with eight minutes remaining.  The Rangers held a three point lead with one minute remaining and the Tigers were forced to send them to the line where they closed out the game.

“This is one of my most frustrating losses since I have been at Grace”, said Coach Gary Bailey.  We played poorly in the second half with 10 turnovers and made some individual mistakes that we haven’t made since last year.  You can’t do that against a team like this without them making you pay.”  Once again the Tigers shot poorly from the free throw line missing nine shots and two front ends of the one and one. 

The Tigers outrebounded the Rangers 30-26 and had an advantage from the field at 51.1% to 46.4%.  Allen Durham led Grace with 23 points with Paul Nelson hitting for 11 and Ryan Krombeen 10.  Krombeen and Dan Dame each had 6 rebounds.  Grace will take on Purdue University-North Central tomorrow at 1:00pm.