Game Recap: Lancers Bounce Back with Gritty Road Win at Briar Cliff

Final Score: Mount Marty 74, Briar Cliff 66

Mount Marty Lancers found their road rhythm once again, defeating Briar Cliff 74-66. The Lancers used a dominant first-half defensive performance and clinical free-throw shooting down the stretch to secure the victory and keep their momentum in the GPAC standings.

How the Lancers Won

Mount Marty set the tone early, stifling the Chargers' offense in the first half. The Lancers went into the locker room with a 34-24 lead, thanks to active hands on defense and a controlled offensive pace. While Briar Cliff made a push in the second half behind a massive 28-point performance from Blake Sindelar, Mount Marty remained composed.

The Lancers relied on their established identity: high-percentage shooting and ball security. Even though their three-point shot wasn't falling (15.4%), they lived in the paint and converted when it mattered most.

Lancer Standouts

• Sutton Arend: Continued his consistent play as the Lancers' offensive engine, scoring 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

• Deegan Williams: Was the ultimate floor general in this contest. He matched the team-high with 16 points, went a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, and added 4 assists and 3 steals.

• Mac Ryken: Provided a huge spark off the bench with 11 points, including a perfect 6-of-6 effort from the charity stripe.

• Jake Jensen: Filled the stat sheet with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, anchoring the Lancers' defensive effort.

• Tyler Sandoval: Was a force in limited minutes, providing 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

The Deciding Factors

• The Turnover Battle: Mount Marty's defense was relentless, forcing 17 Briar Cliff turnovers while only committing 11. The Lancers turned those extra possessions into 11 steals, disrupting the Chargers' flow all night.

• Clutch at the Line: In a game that got physical, Mount Marty was nearly automatic at the stripe, shooting 81.8% (18-22). Their ability to hit free throws in the final minutes prevented Briar Cliff from completing a comeback.

• Inside Presence: Despite being out-rebounded slightly (26-25), the Lancers shot 50.9% from the field. By scoring consistently inside, they negated Briar Cliff's better three-point shooting night.