Box Score Allendale, MI – The Grace Bible College Tigers men's basketball team faced a tough task Thursday night, traveling to local NCAA DII perennial powerhouse Grand Valley State University – a team the Tigers have not beaten yet in the six tries they have had in the history of the program.  They would have to do it without their senior and four-year starting big man Bernard Smith, who sat the game due to injury. 

The game was knotted at 17-17 after back and forth play to begin the contest.  The Lakers would then storm to an 18-0 run that would give them a 35-17 advantage.  The Tigers would trim the Laker lead to a reachable 47-36 headed into the halftime break.

Grace would bring their best for the first 13 minutes of the second half, cutting GVSU's lead to only two points with possession of the ball and an opportunity to take the lead with 7 minutes remaining in the game.  The Lakers would halt the Tigers momentum, scoring consistent timely baskets to keep the Tigers a couple possessions back for the remainder of the game.  The Tigers shot the ball great for the majority of the game, but down the stretch the shots would not fall.  The game would ultimately result in a 88-74 setback, moving the Tigers to 4-3 on the year. 

"With our mounting injuries, it has ben a challenge to get any rhythm with players and substitutions," commented Grace Head Coach Gary Bailey.  "It seems that we just get it going and then we have to change what we do or how we do things because of injuries.  But, I have to give credit to the players.  They just keep stepping up and playing with passion.  When Bernard (Smith) went down at the Calvin College exhibition, you could feel the air being let out of our team a little.  Then, the guys come right back and have two good days of practice in preparation for a really good Grand Valley team.  We were in this game right to the last couple of minutes.  I still say this will be a really good team by the end of the season despite our losses.  We just have to stay healthy."

Grace finished 16-35 in three-point shooting for the night, but the loss of Bernard Smith was felt immensely with a 48-27 disadvantage in rebounding.

Sophomore point guard Brandon Winchester-Jones led the Tigers with 18 points and 7 assists.  Sophomore Adam Kregel added 16 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting, and 4-4 shooting from the three-point line.  Junior Grant Garrison added 13 points to round out the Tigers in double-figures. 

The Tigers are right back in action tonight in Winona Lake, IN, facing Grace College (NAIA DII) at 8:00 pm.