Grace Grizzlies sweep Hawks

HOUSTON — Grace Christian found a way to slow down the hot-shooting Houston Hawks Tuesday night.

The Grizzlies found a way to their free-throw line.

Grace Christian used 39 attempts at the line to rally to a 71-64 Southcentral Conference win over Houston at Houston High School.

“They had 39 free throws to our six,” Houston head coach Steven Henderson said. “I’m not complaining about the officiating by any means. But you give up 39 free throws, it’s tough to win.”

Houston (1-5) shot the ball extremely well. The Hawks were 50 percent from the floor in the game, 70 percent in the first half and 84 percent in the second quarter. Houston, led by Matt Barron’s seven three-pointers and game-high 27 points, hit 11 of its 13 shots in the second quarter.

But as well as Houston shot the ball, Henderson said Grace was able to use their style to get to the free throw line.

“They attacked and were shooting outside stuff,” Henderson said. “It’s the style of game that put the team on the line.”

The Hawks used a 27-14 second-quarter run to build a 39-29 halftime lead. The Hawks had a double-digit lead in the third quarter and entered the final frame with a five-point advantage.

Even though Grace finished only 18 for 39 from the free throw line, the Grizzlies were able to chip away at Houston’s lead with the consistent opportunities.

Grace was 11 for 23 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

“I felt we outplayed them in every facet of the game, with the exception of the fouls,” Henderson said. “What really hurt us was the fouls.”

Four of Houston’s five starters fouled out during the loss.

In girls’ action, Grace scored a 43-27 win over the Hawks. Savannah Wells led Houston with a game-high 18 points.

Grace boys 71, Houston 64

Tuesday, Houston

Grace 15-14-20-22—71

Houston 12-27-15-10—64

Grace (71) — Osborne 6 2-2 17, Karlberg 2 3-10 7, Offord 4 3-7 13, VanderWeide 3 4-9 11, Johnson 3 5-8 12, Fancher 4 1-2 9, Laker 1 0-1 2; Totals: 23 18-39 71.

Houston (64) — Kleewein 3 0-0 6, K. Taylor 1 0-0 3, Baird 1 0-0 2, L. Taylor 3 2-3 8, Barron 9 2-2 18, Ruta 3 0-0 7, J. Taylor 4 0-1 11; Totals: 24 4-6 64.

3-point field goals: Grace 7 (Osborne 3), Houston 12 (Barron 7); Total fouls: Grace 12, Houston 33.

Grace girls 43, Houston 27

Tuesday, Houston High

Grace 7-17-12-7—43

Houston 8-4-8-7—27

Grace (43) — Dunagan 4 1-3 10, Davis 1 0-1 2, Hagen 0 2-4 2, Baird 3 2-2 8, Hogan 4 1-1 11, Logan 1 1-2 3, Laker 0 1-3 1, Mika. Shamberger 2 2-4 6; Totals: 15 10-20 43.

Houston (27) — Wilkerson 1 1-2 4, Nida 1 1-2 3, Wells 6 3-7 18, Thomas 0 2-4 2; Totals: 8 7-21 27.

3-point field goals: Grace 3 (Hogan 2), Houston 4 (Wells 3); Total fouls: Grace 14, Houston 20.