November 19, 2004
Eller, Bushre lead Grove City past CMU in opener
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Senior forward Ryan Eller (Erie, Pa./Iroquois) set a new school record on his way to a 26-point night while senior center Phil Bushre (Swartz Creek, Mich./Swartz Creek) added 23 as the Grove City College men's basketball team rallied past Carnegie Mellon, 81-73, in first-night action in the West Penn Classic at Washington and Jefferson College's Henry Memorial Center.
Eller set a new College record by going 13 for 13 at the free-throw line, breaking the old record of 12-for-12, which was shared by three players. Eller also went 5-of-8 from the field, including three three-point goals.
Bushre scored 23 points in his first game back from a season-ending injury in last year's opener. He also pulled in seven rebounds.
Grove City (1-0) trailed 26-24 at the half but blitzed the Tartans with a 57-point onslaught in the second half. The Wolverines shot 58 percent from the floor (14 of 24) in the second half and also went 27-for-32 (84.4 percent) at the foul line. For the game, Grove City made 34 of 40 (85 percent) free throws.
Carnegie Mellon jumped out to a 7-0 lead but Grove City pulled to within two at halftime. An Eller three on the opening possession of the second half put the Wolverines ahead. Grove City grabbed the lead for good with 5:54 left as Bushre hit a pair of free throws. A pair of buckets from junior Matt Phillips (Bainbridge, Ohio/Kenston) help extend the lead.
The Wolverines put the game away by making their final 13 free throws. Jason Walters led Carnegie Mellon with 19 points.
Grove City will play at Allegheny Saturday night in the second night of the West Penn Classic. The Gators defeated Washington and Jefferson, 87-77, Friday night in double overtime. The matchups were predetermined.
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