WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The No. 6-ranked Indiana Tech men's basketball team returned to action on Thursday evening as they defeated regional rival Grace College, 92-63, in nonconference action at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
 
Dylan Phair scored a team-high 20 points and three assists while Darren Groves added 19 points. Nic Williams chipped in 16 points and six rebounds while Edmond Early, Jr. had 15 points. Max Huber had 10 points and six rebounds while Mitch Morken grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
 
The Lancers would start off the game on a 7-2 run only to see the Warriors use an 8-2 spurt to take a 12-11 lead at the 15:22 mark. A pair of free throws on their next possession would put the hosts up 13-12, but a basket in the paint from Groves would spark a 9-0 run for Tech while an 8-0 run for the visitors would put them up 29-15 with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half.
 
Grace would cut the deficit down to single digits with five quick points only to see the Orange and Black respond with a 13-2 run to make it a 20-point game at the 4:48 mark of the half. Tech would close the half on a 15-10 spurt to hold a 57-32 lead at the break while shooting 65.7% from the floor in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
The Warriors would continue to showcase their prowess on the defensive side of the court in the second half as the limited the Lancers to just 32.3% shooting from the floor. Grace would get some momentum to start the half and cut the deficit down to 63-44 with 14 minutes left on the clock, but Tech would answer back with a 20-8 run over the next six and a half minutes to increase their advantage up to 31 points while they cruised to the 92-63 victory.
 
Tech (11-2) returns to Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) action on Saturday as they host Concordia. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. from the Schaefer Center.