January 4, 2011
Wolverines fall in overtime
HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Four Grove City College players scored in double figures Tuesday night but the Wolverines dropped a 64-56 overtime decision to host Juniata in non-conference men's basketball action at Memorial Gymnasium.
Freshman guard Charlie Thomas (Warren, Pa./Warren) made his first career start for the Wolverines (4-7) and fired in a career-high 14 points, including four three-point goals. Junior center Kris Verderber (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) poured in 12 points while junior guard Cody Fleeger (Butler, Pa./Butler) and senior forward Luke Tomaselli (Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria) each scored 11 points.
Grove City jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first half but Juniata (7-5) countered with a 24-7 run of its own. The Wolverines forged a 24-24 tie with 1:43 left in the first half on a layup by sophomore forward Nate Rambacher (Newmanstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon). Neither team scored over the final 1:43 of the half.
In the second half, Grove City held Juniata without a field goal for over six minutes during the middle portion of the period. A Verderber jumper gave Grove City a 46-40 lead with 4:30 remaining but Juniata eventually tied the game at 53 on a Jeremy Hays layup with 20 seconds left. Grove City could not convert on the final possession of regulation.
Juniata held Grove City without a field goal for over three minutes in overtime as the Eagles opened the extra period on a 7-1 run. Tomaselli's jumper with 1:20 left cut Juniata's lead to 60-56 but the Wolverines could get no closer.
Grove City shot 42 percent (22 of 53) from the field while Juniata went 20 of 53 (37 percent). Grove City owned a 34-32 rebounding edge. Fleeger recorded his first double-double of the season as he grabbed 10 rebounds while Tomaselli had six boards. Tomaselli also had three assists and five steals. Junior guard Brett Matson (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland) had four assists.
Hays led Juniata with 17 points.
Grove City also lost in overtime last season at Juniata, an 82-72 setback November 21, 2009 in the finals of Juniata's Doc Greene Tournament.
Grove City will visit Presidents' Athletic Conference rival Bethany Thursday at 8 p.m.
Go back to Wolverine Basketball Home Page