Yellowjackets Bounce Back in Heart/KCAC Challenge Win Over McPherson

LAMONI, Iowa – The Graceland University men's basketball team earned a gritty 68-57 win over McPherson College in the second day of the Heart/KCAC Challenge on Saturday afternoon at Morden Center. The Yellowjackets improved to 3-2 overall (0-0 Heart) on the season, while McPherson dropped to 2-2 (0-0 KCAC).

Graceland responded well less than 24 hours after suffering a close 83-80 loss to Avila University in Friday's opener. The Yellowjackets controlled the tempo and shot 45.5% from the field while forcing 14 turnovers and limiting McPherson to just 33.8% shooting.

"We still need to make daily improvements, but today was a decided step in the right direction," said head coach Todd Lorenson. "I liked our response in a quick turnaround after a tough one last night. Being down a few veteran guys is never preferred, but the guys who stepped in performed really well. Definitely the epitome of a team win."

Graceland was led by sophomore Carson Busch, who posted a balanced line of 11 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, including 3-of-6 shooting from deep in 38 minutes. Freshman Trey Summers added 12 points and 7 rebounds, while senior Max Black contributed 13 points off the bench, going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.

The Yellowjackets also got strong efforts from Micah Lamberth, who scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, and Tyson Shaw, who chipped in 8 points and 5 assists off the bench.

Graceland led 34-31 at halftime after withstanding a quick start from McPherson, which opened the game with a 5-0 run. The Jackets used an 11-2 burst midway through the half to regain the lead, keyed by perimeter ball movement and transition scoring. In the second half, Graceland maintained a single-digit lead before closing the game with a 9-2 run over the final three minutes.

The Yellowjackets shot 10-of-25 from three-point range (40.0%) and were 8-of-13 at the line (61.5%). They held a +8 rebounding margin (35-27) and outscored McPherson 39-21 in bench points.

Team Statistics:

• Field Goal %: Graceland 45.5% (25-55), McPherson 33.8% (23-68)

• 3PT %: Graceland 40.0% (10-25), McPherson 27.8% (5-18)

• Free Throws: Graceland 8-13 (61.5%), McPherson 6-12 (50.0%)

• Rebounds: Graceland 35, McPherson 27

• Assists: Graceland 18, McPherson 12

• Turnovers Forced: 14

• Points Off Turnovers: Graceland 9

• Bench Points: Graceland 39, McPherson 21

Graceland Player Highlights:

• Carson Busch: 11 pts (4-8 FG, 3-6 3PT), 6 ast, 3 reb

• Max Black: 13 pts (4-4 FG, 3-3 3PT), 1 reb, 2 ast

• Trey Summers: 12 pts (4-5 FG, 2-3 3PT), 7 reb

• Micah Lamberth: 10 pts (5-6 FG), 6 reb

• Tyson Shaw: 8 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb

• Runey Hernandez: 3 pts, 8 reb, 4 TO

• Kaamil Domingo: 6 pts, 4 reb, 3 stl

Graceland's defensive effort stifled McPherson's offense, which managed just 26 second-half points. The Bulldogs' top scorer was Charles Snyder, who had 10 points on 5-of-18 shooting, while no McPherson player made more than two three-pointers. The Yellowjackets also capitalized on McPherson's poor free-throw shooting, as the Bulldogs hit just 6-of-12 attempts from the stripe.

The Yellowjackets leaned heavily on half-court execution and ball control, limiting themselves to just 10 turnovers, their lowest total of the season.

With the win, Graceland closes out the Heart/KCAC Challenge 1-1, rebounding from Friday's late-game loss to Avila. Through five games, the Yellowjackets are averaging 76.2 points per game and shooting over 45% as a team, while continuing to improve in assist-to-turnover ratio and rebounding.

Next, Graceland travels to Forest City, Iowa, to take on Waldorf University on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST at Hanson Fieldhouse.

For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com