December 6, 2008
Wolverines earn another OT win
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's basketball team rallied for an 89-81 overtime road win over Presidents' Athletic Conference rival Westminster Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field House. It is Grove City's second straight overtime win and fifth consecutive win overall.
Grove City (5-1, 2-0 PAC) held Westminster scoreless over the final 3:26 as the Wolverines erased a 71-65 deficit. In overtime, Grove City held the Titans without a field goal for the first four minutes of the period. Grove City took the lead for good, 75-73, with 2:35 left in overtime on a jumper from junior center Andy O'Keefe (Perry, Ohio/Perry).
Senior guard Joe McCoy (Newark, Ohio/Newark) drilled six straight free throws in the final minute while senior guard Ryan Gibson (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) added two free throws to help sew up the win. McCoy and Gibson both fired in 22 points. The duo also combined to make 19 of 20 free throws.
The Wolverines (5-1) trailed 46-34 early in the second half and still faced a 52-42 hole with 14 minutes left. Freshman guard Cody Fleeger (Butler, Pa./Butler) sparked the comeback with consecutive baskets while Gibson followed with a three-point play.
A Gibson three-pointer midway through the first half gave Grove City a 19-10 lead. Westminster (0-8, 0-1) countered with a 23-4 run in taking a 33-23 lead. Grove City cut the lead to 38-34 by halftime as McCoy scored five points in the final 26 seconds of the half.
Gibson also pulled down seven rebounds, helping Grove City own a 39-35 edge on the glass. For the game, Grove City shot 29 of 60 (48 percent) from the field. Westminster shot 40 percent (29 of 72). Grove City had 13 turnovers while Westminster committed 10 turnovers.
Ryne Murray led Westminster with 30 points.
It is the first time since Grove City joined the Presidents' Athletic Conference in 1984 that the Wolverines have won consecutive games in overtime.
Grove City will host Hiram Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Grove City and Hiram have played overtime games each of the last three seasons.
Go back to Wolverine Basketball Home Page