WINONA LAKE, Indiana - Coming off a confidence-boosting upset win over then-No. 15-ranked Spring Arbor University on Saturday, the Marian College men's basketball team traveled to current No. 23-ranked Grace College on Tuesday night at the Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake, Indiana.

 

Although they stayed within striking distance for 35 minutes, the final five minutes of the game decided the ballgame as the Knights ran out of gas in a 72-61 defeat to the Lancers. The Knights are now 10-10 on the season and 1-9 in MCC play.

 

Neither team seemed to want to take a decided advantage as over the first 11:57 of the game the matchup featured six ties and three lead changes. After Grace took a 20-17 lead, sophomore Tyler Kleinschmidt buried a three-pointer to knot the game at 20 with 8:03 left.

 

The Lancers pushed the lead to four, 24-20, with 5:35 left in the half, but an 8-0 run gave the Knights a four-point lead, 28-24, with 2:46 to go in the half. However, the Lancers scored the final seven points of the half to take a three-point lead into the locker room, 31-28.

 

After Grace opened the second frame with a 9-2 run to take a 10-point lead, 40-30, with 16:52 to go in the game, the Knights went on a 9-0 run over the next 2:06 to cut the lead to one, 40-39. After a pair of free throws gave the Lancers a three-point lead, sophomore Jordan Tucker buried a three-pointer with 14:22 to go to tie the score, 42-42.

 

From that point until the 6:49 mark the Knights did not let the lead get beyond seven points, but could get no closer either. The Knights got within four, 58-54, with 6:22 remaining. However, it was at this point they ran out of gas and Grace was able to fend off the Knights' rally to close out the 72-61 victory.

 

Sophomore Jordan Tucker (Kirklin, Indiana/Clinton Central) led the Knights with a career-high and season-high tying 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting. He also had three rebounds and a game-high five steals.

 

The other Knight in double figures was sophomore Anthony Furlin (Fishers, Indiana/Hamilton Southeastern) who finished with 11 points with three three-pointers.

 

The Knights come back to the Physical Education Center on Saturday afternoon when they host the University of Saint Francis Cougars during Knight Daze. The game will be broadcast LIVE on XL 950 with Brad Wochomurka (p-b-p) and Director of Athletics Joe Haklin (color) calling all the action. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. with coverage on XL 950 beginning at 2:50 p.m.