An MNU comeback came up short in a 90-87 loss vs. Graceland on Saturday. The Yellowjackets jumped out to a 23-13 lead but the Pioneers finished the first half strong and went to the locker room trailing by just 3. Early in the second half, MNU grabbed a 3-point lead, but Graceland used a 9-0 run to seize control. MNU trailed by 7 with 46 seconds remaining, but a foul followed by a tech put
Payne Andrus to the line for 4 shots. He made them all, and after a Graceland free throw,
David Nelson buried a deep 3 to get MNU within 1. The Yellowjackets hit 2 more free throws in the final seconds, and the Pioneers were unable to get off a desperation shot at the buzzer.
Jonas Page led the offense with 18 points.
Payne Andrus had 16 points and 3 assists.
Justin Randall added 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. And
Jonathan Green had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 20 minutes off the bench.
MNU is 5-5 (4-4 Heart). The next game is Tuesday at NCAA D2 Central Missouri at 6:00.
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