COLUMBUS, Ind. – The IU Columbus men's basketball team battled through one of its toughest tests of the season on Tuesday night at NexusPark, but a balanced and highly efficient Grace (IN) squad proved too much to overcome as the Crimson Pride fell 105–70 in front of the home crowd. Grace College, entering the night undefeated, and ranked fourth in the nation, showcased its depth and precision on both ends of the floor, pulling away early behind a 51-point first half and never allowing IU Columbus to close the gap.
The Lancers came out firing, scoring on their opening possessions and setting a fast tempo that forced IU Columbus into catch-up mode from the start. Grace's ball movement and discipline were evident early, as the visitors assisted on a large majority of their first-half baskets and knocked down eight three-pointers over the course of the game. By halftime, Grace had built a 51–29 advantage, fueled by efficient shooting and steady contributions from across its rotation.
IU Columbus found moments of rhythm offensively but struggled at times to match Grace's pace and physicality. Turnovers and missed shots in the paint gave the Lancers additional opportunities in transition, allowing them to extend their lead as the second half progressed. Grace's depth became increasingly clear, as 12 different players found the scoring column and five finished in double figures.
Off the bench, Nathan Pickett delivered the breakout performance of the night for the Crimson Pride. The senior guard was electric from the perimeter, knocking down seven three-pointers on his way to a team-high 21 points. His shooting stretch in the second half gave IU Columbus a much-needed spark and helped the Crimson Pride keep the offense moving against a tight Grace defense.
Jermayn Baxter continued his strong play with 19 points on 9–17 shooting, adding four assists and providing consistent scoring inside the arc. Baxter's ability to attack off the dribble created several opportunities for IU Columbus to close small gaps, though Grace's defensive pressure made sustained runs difficult.
Derald Blackmon and Eric Jackson each provided energy and physicality off the bench. Blackmon finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds, while Jackson added 6 points and matched him with 6 boards of his own. Jayden Broadnax and Shauntez Cain chipped in early scoring efforts, combining for 10 points and 8 total rebounds.
Still, the story of the night was Grace's balance and efficiency. The Lancers shot 57.8% from the field, 36.4% from three, and 76.7% from the free-throw line while committing only 12 turnovers. Their bench played a major role as well, combining for 73 points—including a perfect 7-for-7 shooting performance from Isaac Schultz, who finished with 17 points in just nine minutes.
Grace's ball movement was equally impressive. The Lancers recorded 26 assists on 37 made field goals, consistently creating high-percentage looks through patient offense and sharp decision-making. Their defensive presence around the rim also made scoring difficult for IU Columbus, as Grace tallied 10 blocks and altered several more attempts.
Despite trailing throughout, IU Columbus continued to compete and found offensive improvement in the second half, scoring 41 points and hitting eight threes on the night. But Grace's steady scoring output—54 points after halftime—prevented the Crimson Pride from making a serious push.
IU Columbus finished the game shooting 36.4% from the field and 42.1% from three, with 70 total points on the night. The Crimson Pride battled on the glass, pulling down 32 rebounds, but Grace's early pace and depth ultimately secured the visitors their eighth win of the season.
Next Up: IUC returns to action on Friday (Nov. 28) at Purdue University Northwest for an exhibition game. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.
