December 30, 2011
Grove City falls at Bluffton
BLUFFTON, Ohio -- The Grove City College men's basketball team dropped an 87-68 decision to host Bluffton Friday afternoon in the championship game of the McDonald's of Bluffton Tournament at Founders Hall.
Grove City (5-6) trailed 49-33 at halftime but closed the lead to single digits several times in the second half. The Wolverines trailed by just nine, 75-66, with four minutes remaining but Bluffton sealed the win with an 11-0 run.
Three Grove City players scored in double figures, led by senior guard Brett Matson (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland), who posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. Freshman guard Christian Durbin (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley) also pumped in 13 points and senior center Kris Verderber (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) added 10 points. Matson and Verderber both earned All-Tournament honors.
Bluffton (7-4) used a 14-2 run late in the first half in assembling its 16-point halftime lead. The Beavers shot 20 of 35 (57 percent) from the field in the first half. For the game, Bluffton shot 49 percent (32 of 66) while Grove City made 27 of 58 (47 percent) field goal attempts. Bluffton also made 11 of 23 (48 percent) three-point attempts.
Josh Fisher led Bluffton with 16 points and tournament MVP Mychal Hill added 13 points. Bluffton owned a 36-33 edge in rebounds.
For Grove City, freshman guard J.T. Schwartz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) recorded four assists. Durbin and freshman Mitch Marmelstein (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./St. Margaret's) both had three assists.
Grove City opens the new calendar year Wednesday, January 4, at Presidents' Athletic Conference rival Westminster at 8 p.m.
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