Wolverines post fourth decisive victory in five games
GROVE CITY, PA, December 1, 2001--The Grove City College men's basketball team overcame an eight-point deficit and ran away from previously unbeaten Juniata College, 77-58, Saturday afternoon at the WolvArena.
Juniata (5-1), who was off to its best start in 43 years, led 23-15 midway through the first half on the strength of seven three-pointers in its first eight attempts. Grove City (4-1) rallied with a 9-0 spurt to take a 24-23 lead with 5:30 left before intermission, then used a pair of threes from sophomore Jim Fetzner (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) at 1:17 and 0:42 to take the lead at halftime, 36-31.
The Eagles soared back, however, tying the game, 39-39, with 15:38 remaining, but a 24-6 run sent the Wolverines to their fourth victory by a nine-point margin or better.
After drilling 7 of 8 threes, the Eagles made just 2 of 22 from outside the arc and finished the game 33.9% from the floor (19-for-56). The Wolverines knocked down better than 50% from the field for the fourth time in five games, hitting 54% of their shots (27-for-50). Grove City was also aided by 17-for-20 shooting from the free-throw line.
Senior Andy Vlajkovich (Canfield, OH/Canfield), one of four Wolverines in double figures, went 6-for-6 from the stripe and posted a team-high 21 points. Sophomore Phil Bushre (Swartz Creek, MI/Swartz Creek) fired in 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor, while sophomores Ian Dean (Damascus, MD/Damascus) and Fetzner chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Senior Pat Roberts (Home, PA/Marion Center) grabbed a team-best 11 rebounds as the Wolverines posted a double-digit edge on the glass (39-29) for the third time this season. Sophomore Tanner Prosser (Pittsburgh, PA/Brentwood) contributed seven assists.
Grove City hosts Geneva College next Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The Wolverines, who opened 4-1 last year, haven't won five of their first six since opening the 1982-83 season with nine straight victories.
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