#22 Graceland Men Stay Perfect in Heart Play, Defeat CMU to Extend Conference Lead
LAMONI, Iowa — The No. 22-ranked Graceland University Yellowjackets (15-2, 9-0 Heart of America) extended their unbeaten streak in conference play and created separation atop the Heart standings with an 80–70 win over Central Methodist (11-6, 5-4) on Saturday afternoon inside the Morden Center.
The Yellowjackets now hold a three-game lead in the Heart standings, while Central Methodist falls into a logjam for fifth. Graceland remains the only undefeated team in Heart play heading into a crucial road matchup at William Penn on Wednesday.
In a contest featuring eight ties and 12 lead changes, Graceland leaned on its balanced scoring attack and late-game execution to hold off a resilient Central Methodist squad coached by former Graceland assistant, Matt Sherman. Four Yellowjackets scored in double figures, led by Carson Busch with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
"This was a great small college basketball game with two really good teams," Head Coach Todd Lorensen said following the win. "Thankfully, we were able to make a few more plays down the stretch to secure the victory."
After trailing 41–40 at halftime, Graceland responded with a 40–29 second-half advantage, keyed by defensive stops and timely scoring. Lorensen praised the backcourt effort, saying, "I thought our on-ball defense from Deundra Roberson and Emarion Ellis was a big key in the last six minutes of the game."
Roberson tallied 15 points and three assists, while Ellis posted 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench, helping to control tempo and matchups during pivotal late possessions.
Graceland shot 52.6% from the field, connecting on a stellar 11-of-22 from three-point range (50%). Busch's three-pointer with 3:51 left capped a critical possession that extended the lead to 72–68 after multiple offensive rebounds from Runey Hernandez, who delivered an impactful performance on both ends.
"He played with a great balance at the rim, finished through some contact and also made the right decision on when to attack for himself or find someone out on the perimeter," Lorensen said of Hernandez. "That's what makes him such a tough guard in the mid-post—he's able to put the ball on the floor and get to great spots, but is also a very good passer. The double-digit rebounds were key as well."
Hernandez finished with a double-double: 13 points and 10 rebounds, including 4 on the offensive glass. He also added two assists and one steal in 21 minutes.
Graceland once again leaned on its offensive depth, with four players in double figures and three others scoring six or more points.
Joining Busch and Hernandez in double digits were Roberson (15 points) and Micah Lamberth, who added 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Tyson Shaw chipped in 6 points and 2 assists, and Kaamil Domingo provided a valuable bench boost with 4 points and 4 rebounds in just 7 minutes.
"Our balance is a great asset," Lorensen emphasized. "Four guys in double figures and three others with six-plus points."
Graceland won the rebounding battle 35–30, had 14 assists on 30 made field goals, and limited Central Methodist to 36.7% shooting (22-of-60). The Yellowjackets also scored 38 points in the paint, compared to just 22 from the Eagles.
Tied at 66 with under six minutes to play, Graceland used a 14–4 run to close the game. Hernandez knocked down a pair of free throws to begin the surge, followed by a Busch triple, a Hernandez putback, and a layup from Domingo to push the lead to 76–69.
Despite a 28-point outing from Central Methodist's Isaiah Reams, the Yellowjackets' defense locked in late. Reams shot 7-of-17 from the field but was held without a made field goal in the final four minutes. Graceland forced 10 turnovers and held CMU to just 29.6% shooting in the second half.
Graceland (15-2, 9-0) travels to Oskaloosa, Iowa on Wednesday, January 14 to face William Penn University at the Penn Activity Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CST. The matchup marks a key test for the Yellowjackets as they aim to further separate themselves atop the Heart standings.
For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.