November 14, 2008 | Box Score
Clinton, IA-After suffering a difficult loss on Monday evening at the hands of the Grand View Vikings, the Jackets were looking to get back on track Friday. On the road, Graceland faced Ashford University, an NAIA school and members of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Saints and the Jackets played a back and forth first half but Graceland dominated in the second stanza outscoring Ashford 39-21 and pulling away for a 69-61 much needed win.
After struggling with their man defense the Jackets made some changes defensively heading into tonights game. Playing a much more team oriented defense Graceland was able to hold Ashford to an astounding 21 points in the second half allowing Graceland to salt the game away. The Jackets trailed 40-30 at halftime but were just too much after that on both ends of the floor.
Graceland got big games from their backcourt tonight. Both Jonathan Carter (Colorado Springs, CO) and Jewel Carter (Kansas City, KS) as well as Freddy Franco (Roswell, NM) scored in double figures on the evening. Jonathan Carter had 16 as did Franco and Jewel Carter added 14.
"We came into tonight having made some big changes the last few days in practice," said Coach Hamilton following the game. "We had been struggling defensively so we switched some things up. We still gave up too many offensive rebounds but we defended the perimeter much better and it paid off in the end. The guys really responded to the changes we made and it showed in the final score," finished Hamilton.
Graceland has one more game left against Central College in Pella Tuesday night at 7:30 pm before they head to Daytona Beach, Florida to compete in the Mitsubishi Shootout on the campus of Embry Riddle University. Stay tuned to the Jacket athletics website for continuing coverage on the men's basketball team and all Jacket athletics.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
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