January 16, 2016

Grove City tops Thiel

GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Sophomore forward Andrew Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) posted a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double while senior guard Caleb Knudsen (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pius X) added 10 points and 12 rebounds to help vault the Grove City College men's basketball team to a 68-59 win Saturday afternoon over Presidents' Athletic Conference rival Thiel at Rissell-Beeghly Gymnasia.

Senior guard Joe Vermilya (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview) fired in 14 points for Grove City (10-5, 5-3 PAC). Vermilya scored seven straight points during Grove City's 12-0 run midway through the second half that gave the Wolverines a 51-39 lead.

Senior guard Stephen Tam (Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) closed that 12-0 run with a three-pointer. Thiel closed to within 64-59 in the final minute but Tam and Vermilya sewed up the win by each sinking two free throws.

Grove City shot 23 of 60 (38 percent) from the field for the game while Thiel (6-9, 4-4) went 22 of 57 (39 percent) from the floor. Grove City amassed a 54-31 edge in rebounds. Twenty-one of the Grove City rebounds came at the offensive end.

Knudsen and Tam both had three assists for Grove City while Beckman blocked three shots.

Khari Bess led Thiel with 17 points.

Grove City closes the first half of the conference schedule Wednesday night at Bethany. Tip-off is 8 p.m.

Box Score