Hastings College Men's Basketball // HC Bronco Athletics
LAMONI, IA – The Hastings College men’s basketball could not over come its slow start in its 70-58 loss to Graceland on Saturday afternoon inside the Morden Center.
Neither team shot particularly well in the first half as Hastings shot just 36 percent (9-for-25) while Graceland shot 42.3 percent (11-for-26) but the real difference was from deep as HC was just 2-for-9 while GU was 6-for-16 that helped to create the 10 point halftime deficit for the Brocnos.
Hastings did come out quickly to start the second half as Reggie Thomas opened things with back-to-back threes as the Broncos were down 35-31 just :41 into the second half.
HC then made it just a two point deficit when Danilo Matovic made a layup. From there, Hastings eventually tied the game 40-40 when Tyrique McMurrin connected from the low block.
A quick 6-0 run by the Yellow Jackets forced a Bronco timeout but the Bronco would stay cold over the next five minutes as GU grew the lead back to nine at 53-44.
Hastings would get to as close as five but then GU would pull away for the 12 point win.
The Broncos finished the game shooting 43.8 percent (21-for-48) while Graceland shot 42.6 percent (23-for-54). The main difference in the game was turnovers as HC committed 16 to just 10 for GU. And then free throws were a difference maker as Hastings as 10-for-14 while GU was 16-for-20. The rebounding edge went to the Yellow Jackets 31-to-30.
Thomas led the way with 20 points on 5-for-14 shooting but was 3-for-5 from behind the arc and 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down a team high eight rebounds. Matovic also finished in double figures with 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Hastings is now 3-2 on the year and will be back in action Friday Nov. 17 hitting the road to open up Great Plains Athletic Conference action against Jamestown with tipoff set for 6:45 pm inside the Newman Arena in Jamestown, ND.
