Graceland Men’s Win 5th Straight Conference Game (College Basketball Roundup)

College Men’s Basketball

Graceland 85 Clarke 68
For the first time in 5 years, the Graceland Men’s Basketball Team has won five straight Heart of America Conference basketball games. Graceland also went over .500 for the first time with their conference record for the first time this season with an 85-68 victory on Thursday evening over the Clarke University Pride. Graceland withstood a first half that saw Clarke hit six 3-point shots and countered with an efficient half court offense themselves. Graceland outrebounded Clark 18-11 in the first half and shot just over 53% from the field. The game was tied at 26-26 with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first half when Graceland went on a 15-4 run and took a 41-30 lead at halftime. Graceland extended their lead in the second half to as many as 20 points with 10 minutes remaining. Clarke did work the margin back to 80-68 with about 2 minutes remaining.

Graceland had plenty of scoring balance. The Yellowjackets were led in scoring by Seth Compas who had 18 points, but 6 Yellowjackets were in double figures. Graceland finished the game with a shooting percentage of just over 57%.

The Graceland men are now 12-7 overall and 7-6 in the heart of America conference. They host nationally-rated William Penn on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. William Penn is the only remaining undefeated men’s team left the Heart of America Conference.

Northwest Missouri State 73 Central Missouri 52
A pair of 20-point scoring nights from Wes Dreamer and Diego Bernard propelled the Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team to a 73-52 win over the visiting Central Missouri Mules at Bearcat Arena.

Lincoln 70 Missouri Western 56
The Lincoln Blue Tigers used a big second half to give Missouri Western’s Men their 3rd straight loss.

 

College Women’s Basketball

Clarke 90 Graceland 51
The Clarke Women’s Basketball team shot 54% from 3-point territory and put away their Heart of America Conference Women’s basketball game with Graceland Thursday evening in the 3rd quarter. Clarke defeated Graceland 90-51 in Lamoni. Clarke is the 8th-rated team in NAIA Women’s Basketball. They moved their record to 17-2 overall. They are 11-2 in the Heart of America Conference. Graceland’s Women hung around in the first half thanks and large part to their defense. Graceland had most of their 11 steals in the first half of the game. They were within two points with 5:42 to go in the second quarter. But Clarke extended the lead to 41-30 at halftime. Clarke then hit 6 3-point shots on 6-9 shooting in the third period, scored 38 points and turned an 8-point lead into a 31 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Graceland was led in scoring by Heaven Mbaruk who had 12 points. Janiyah Davis scored 11 for Graceland. The Graceland Women are 8-11 overall and 3-10 in the Heart of America Conference. The Graceland Women will host William Penn Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Morden Center

 

Central Missouri 68 Northwest Missouri State 68
The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team dropped a last second nail-biter to the No. 5 Central Missouri Jennies, 68-67. Northwest led 37-30 in the first half, and the Jennies did not get their first lead until 3:37 to go in the 3rd quarter. UCM drew a shooting foul with just under one second to play to send the Jennies to the line for two shots. After missing the first free throw, UCM made the second to take a 68-67 lead with .6 seconds left to play.

Northwest drops to 9-8 overall and 4-7 in MIAA play.

Missouri Western 65 Lincoln 54
The Missouri Western Women have won 8 straight games. Missouri Western used a big first quarter to separate from Lincoln Thursday night in St Joseph and kept the Blue Tigers at bay for the the game. Brionna Budgetts scored 18 points for the Griffons. Connie Clarke scored 13 points.