Box Score
The Pioneers recorded up a huge 101-92 road victory and picked up some help to secure the 3-seed on Saturday. With Benedictine's victory over Evangel, the Pioneers moved into 3rd place in the conference and gave themselves a better shot at a berth to Nationals.
The Pioneers built a 9-point lead after 7 minutes of play, but Graceland went on a 13-5 run to get back in the game. A 4-point halftime lead ballooned to 21 with 10 minutes remaining, but the Yellowjackets did not go quietly. A 26-8 run over the next 7 minutes got Graceland within 3, but clutch buckets from
Conner Langrehr and
Nate Launius held off the charge, and free throws from
Nick Syrie,
Luke Thomas, Launius, and
Brandon Newton sealed it down the stretch for the Pioneers.
Luke Thomas was 9-13 from the field and 10-10 from the line for 28 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Nick Syrie had 14 points and 7 assists.
Brandon Newton had 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Conner Langrehr added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. And
David Clark had 12 points.
MNU is 20-10 (12-6 HAAC). The next game is Wednesday at home vs. Missouri Valley (15-14, 8-10) in the first round of the HAAC tourney. MNU is the 3-seed in the 8-team tournament. The HAAC gets 3 bids to Nationals: the regular-season champ (Benedictine), the regular-season runner up (Culver-Stockton), and the HAAC tourney champ. If either of the top 2 teams win the tourney, the 3rd bid is awarded to the 3rd place team.
