Ben Grandle posted his fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 17 rebounds in Multnomah's 104-81 loss to Bethesda in the West Coast Classic Friday in Lancaster, Calif.
BETHESDA 104, MULTNOMAH 81: Turnovers Costly as Lions Go Down to Flames
LANCASTER, Calif. – Ben Grandle posted his fourth double-double of the season and five Multnomah University players scored in double figures, but too many turnovers proved costly as the Lions fell 104-81 to the Bethesda University Flames on the first day of the West Coast Classic hosted by West Coast Baptist College here Friday afternoon.
Bethesda took advantage of the Lions' inability to control the ball in first half by racing out to a 57-38 halftime lead and maintaining a comfortable margin the rest of the way. The Lions coughed the ball up 22 times in all, double the 11 turnovers by the Flames. A huge discrepancy at the free throw line also hurt the Lions, as Multnomah was whistled for 14 fouls to only five against Bethesda, resulting in the Lions making only 3-of-4 free throws to 18-of-24 for the Flames.
Grandle scored 14 points and grabbed 17 boards, leading Multnomah to a 51-43 edge in rebounds. Brett Blackstock also scored 14 points, hitting 4-of-6 from three-point range, while Ry Paulsen and Stephen Sedlock added 12 each and DJ Ahana scored 11. Paulsen likewise was 4-of-6 on threes. Darius Redrick handed out 10 assists and made four steals. The Lions shot .410 (32-78) for the game, including .368 (14-38) from downtown.
Gabriel Aderstag led Bethesda with 24 points, followed by Jordan Lopez with 23, Rayford Rigby with 15, and Khalfani Williams with 11. Aderstag had a team-high eight rebounds, Lopez passed out five assists, and Williams posted five blocked shots. The Flames connected on 37-of-75 (.493) from the field and were 12-of-23 (.522) from long distance.
Multnomah is now 3-8 overall, while Bethesda is 4-8.
--- Next: Multnomah takes on host West Coast Baptist at 1:00 p.m. Saturday … Bethesda goes home to host Westmont College Saturday at 7:30 p.m.