January 4, 2008
John Carroll nips Grove City, 55-51
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's basketball team fell to 7-4 overall Friday night with a 55-51 setback against 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifier John Carroll in the semifinals of DeSales University's Casa Mia Tournament at Billera Hall. Grove City will play in Saturday's consolation game at 2 p.m. against Briarcliffe.
Grove City trailed 30-19 at halftime but charged ahead in the second half with a 15-0 run. Junior guard Ryan Gibson (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) started the run with a layup while senior guard Shawn Carr (New Castle, Pa./Mohawk) added a pair of three-point goals during the blitz. Freshman guard Caleb Orchard (Loudonville, Ohio/Loudonville) capped the run with a pair of free throws.
Grove City eventually extended its lead to six, 44-38, with 8:48 left on an inside basket from senior forward Bobby Turner (New Castle, Pa./Laurel). John Carroll (5-4) reclaimed the lead for good with 2:22 remaining as Rudy Kirbus' jumper gave the Blue Streaks a 49-48 lead.
The Wolverines limited John Carroll to just 8-for-31 (26 percent) shooting from the field in the second half. For the game, Grove City held John Carroll to just 32 percent (20 of 63) shooting. Grove City fared no better, though, as the Wolverines also shot 32 percent (18 of 57) from the field. Both teams committed 19 turnovers.
Carr led Grove City with nine points. Gibson and Turner both had seven rebounds. Gibson also had five assists. John Carroll out-rebounded Grove City 51-39. T.J. DiSanto led John Carroll with 18 points.
Grove City had won 30 straight games when holding an opponent to less than 60 points.
Host DeSales defeated Briarcliffe in Friday's second semifinal, 101-69. Grove City has never played Briarcliffe.
Go back to Wolverine Basketball Home Page