February 10, 2016

Second half surge lifts Grove City to 15th win

PITTSBURGH -- The Grove City College men's basketball team improved to 15-7 overall and 10-5 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference by earning a 72-54 win Wednesday night over host Chatham at the Chatham Athletic Center. Grove City trailed 28-24 at halftime but used a 32-9 run in the second half to charge back for the victory.

Sophomore forward Andrew Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) scored 19 of his game-high 22 points in the second half for Grove City. Beckman also finished with seven rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots.

Senior guard Stephen Tam (Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) and sophomore center Cory Huff (Kersey, Pa./Elk County Catholic) both added nine points while senior guard Joe Vermilya (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview) posted eight points, a game-high 10 rebounds and four assists.

Grove City took the lead for good, 37-36, with 13:49 left when freshman guard Brandon Grider (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) drilled a three-pointer. Later, Huff's two free throws with 3:51 left gave the Wolverines their largest lead, 63-43.

Grove City went 13 of 22 (59 percent) from the field in the second half. For the game, Grove City shot 22 of 43 (51 percent) while holding Chatham (4-18, 4-11 PAC) to a 20-of-56 (36 percent) effort from the floor. Grove City also owned a 44-19 edge in rebounds.

 Nasir Alexander led Chatham with 13 points.

Grove City will visit conference leader Saint Vincent at 6 p.m. Saturday evening in Latrobe, Pa.

Box Score