GU Advances to Heart Championship Following Semifinal Rout of CMU
LAMONI, Iowa — Top-seeded Graceland University delivered a wire-to-wire performance Friday night, defeating No. 5 seed Central Methodist 79-55 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals at the Morden Center. Graceland improves to 25-5 overall (17-3 Heart), while Central Methodist falls to 19-11 overall (12-8 Heart).
With the victory, the Yellowjackets advance to the Heart Tournament championship game for the second time in program history as hosts and the first since 2018 — the same season Graceland captured the NAIA National Championship, the only national title in conference history. Graceland has now won seven of its last eight games and four consecutive contests by an average margin of 27.2 points per game.
Graceland shot 43.3 percent from the field (29-of-67), connected on 15-of-39 from beyond the arc and committed just five turnovers. The Yellowjackets forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 25 points, while also winning the rebounding battle 40-26.
Graceland established tempo immediately in Friday's semi-final matchup. Micah Lamberth opened the scoring with a 3-point field goal on the first possession. Deundra Roberson followed with a steal and transition three, pushing the early margin to 6-0. Josh Sanderson added back-to-back triples as the Yellowjackets built a 27-9 lead midway through the first half.
The Yellowjackets led 40-21 at halftime, holding Central Methodist to 32 percent shooting in the opening period. Graceland recorded 13 first-half rebounds and limited second-chance opportunities, allowing just two second-chance points for the game.
Carson Busch led Graceland with 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-11 from three-point range, and added four assists. Josh Sanderson finished with 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, knocking down five three-pointers. Deundra Roberson contributed 13 points, while Cole Bowen registered 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, securing four offensive boards and adding four assists.
Micah Lamberth totaled eight points and eight rebounds, anchoring interior defense against Central Methodist's Raphael Gay, who finished with 17 points. Trey Summers added eight rebounds off the bench, contributing to Graceland's 12 second-chance points.
Graceland extended its lead to 31 points in the second half, its largest advantage of the night. The Yellowjackets maintained spacing and ball movement, finishing with 17 assists on 29 made field goals. Carson Busch and Micah Lamberth combined for eight assists, facilitating perimeter spacing that resulted in 38.5 percent three-point shooting.
Central Methodist shot 43.8 percent overall and 9-of-24 from three-point range but was limited to just four free throws made. The Eagles recorded only seven points off turnovers and six bench points.
Head coach Todd Lorensen emphasized defensive intensity and execution in the postgame remarks. "Dra (Deundra Roberson) was spectacular with his on-ball defense, and Aaron (Aaron James Jr.) picked up right where he left off on Tuesday night," said Lorensen after Friday's win.
"Those two were invaluable defensively over the course of the game," Lorensen continued. "Micah's stat line — eight points and eight rebounds — may not jump out at you, but he competed at a high level against a very big and physical post player. His effort to contain him was off the charts.
"Cole was doing Cole things tonight. He made multiple plays that you simply can't teach or coach, and we're thankful he's on our team. He was relentless on the glass, and when he rebounds like that, he takes his game to another level.
"The fact that we were able to get Carson and Josh a combined 23 looks from beyond the arc shows how well their teammates are working to get them open. Almost all of them were quality shots.
"We're excited about the opportunity to host the Heart championship game at the Morden Center for the first time since 2018 — and this time as the No. 1 seed. It's two very good teams matching up, and we're hopeful it creates a great small-college atmosphere."
Graceland previously opened tournament play with a decisive quarterfinal victory over Peru State in the 1 vs. 8 matchup and followed it with Thursday's semifinal win. The Yellowjackets have now held opponents to 55 points or fewer in consecutive tournament games.
Monday's championship contest will feature conference rival William Penn, which handed Graceland two of its three conference losses during the regular season. In those earlier matchups, the Yellowjackets were without Cole Bowen, the 2024-25 Heart Conference Player of the Year and unanimous first-team selection this season. Bowen's presence in the paint and on the glass will be a central factor in the championship matchup and beyond.
Graceland will host William Penn on Monday, March 2, at 7 p.m. CST in the Heart Tournament Final at the Morden Center on the campus of Graceland University.
For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.
