Men’s Basketball Caged by Benedictine

Atchison, Kan. - The Graceland University Men's Basketball team took on the Benedictine College Ravens. The Yellowjackets were defeated by the Ravens, 80-76. Graceland move to 16-5 and are 13-4 in the conference.

Graceland (16-5, 13-4) | Benedictine (8-12; 7-10)
Half 1: Graceland 25 | Benedictine 36
The Ravens opened to put five points on the board. Austin Braun broke the run from the field and set off a collection with baskets from Darrius Davis and Carson Busch. Both teams would trade baskets. Benedictine would have a five-point jump. Braun (five points) and Amitai Afenjar (two points) would answer to put up seven points (17-15). Carter Brown and Aleksa Markovic would add baskets from the deep to lead by two 25-23). The Ravens would retaliate with a 13-point jump to take the 11-point lead heading into halftime with a score of 36-25.

Half 2: Graceland 51 | Benedictine 44
Carson Busch would open the second half, draining one from the arches (36-28); within a minute, Aleksa Markovic would put up five points to close the gap to seven points (40-33). The Ravens would work and hold an advantage. Amitai Afenjar (two points) and Akeen Woods (three points) would push a five-point jump (13-minute mark). Moments later, Patrick Fisher drained a three-pointer, and Afenjar would follow to put up back-to-back two-pointers for a three-point gap (50-47). Carter Brown would pull the Graceland deficit to one point with a basket from the arches (57-56). The Ravens would answer with a five-point rally (62-59). Benedictine would hold their lead and take the 80-76 win.

By the numbers:
30-26– The Yellowjackets had 30 field goals and the Ravens sank 26 field goals
12-10 – Graceland had 12 three-pointer and Benedictine had 10
36-23 – The Yellowjackets had 13 more bench points than the Ravens
30-29 – Graceland rebounds compared Benedictine
4-18 – The Yellowjacket made charity stripe compared to the Ravens

Graceland Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Akeen Woods – 16
Rebounding Leader: Patrick Fisher – 5
Assist Leader: Patrick Fisher – 6
Steal Leader: Carter Brown / Aleksa Markovic / Patrick Fisher – 1

Benedictine Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Braden Belt – 18
Rebounding Leader: Jack Vander Woude – 6
Assist Leader: Ezrah Vaigafa – 5
Steal Leader: Three Players – 2

Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will be back on their home court on Wednesday, January 31 when they host the Mount Mercy University Mustangs. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.

-Yellowjackets-