February 13, 2016

Grove City stuns Saint Vincent

LATROBE, Pa. -- Sophomore forward Andrew Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) tipped in a lob pass from senior guard Stephen Tam (Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) as time expired Saturday night to give the Grove City College men's basketball team a 65-63 win at Presidents' Athletic Conference leader Saint Vincent (17-6, 13-3) in the Carey Center.

Grove City had possession with 0.6 left in regulation when Tam passed in from the sideline, approximately 20 feet up from the baseline. Beckman streaked from the top of the key, popped open due to backscreen from senior guard Joe Vermilya (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview) and then directed Tam's pass into the basket as time expired.

Beckman finished the game with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting. Vermilya led Grove City (16-7, 11-5 PAC) with 19 points while sophomore center Cory Huff (Kersey, Pa./Elk County Catholic) added 16 points. Tam finished with 11 points and a game-high four assists.

Grove City trailed 28-25 at halftime but Vermilya hit three three-point goals early in the second half to give Grove City a 36-29 lead. Saint Vincent reclaimed the lead, 45-44, midway through the second half on a J.C. Howard jumper but Huff put Grove City back ahead with two free throws.

Saint Vincent guard Jaylon Bell tied the game at 63 with four seconds left, prior to Beckman's game-winner.

Grove City shot 44 percent (23 of 52) from the field, including a 9-for-18 effort on three-point goals. Beckman and Huff each had six rebounds, helping the Wolverines own a 38-36 edge on the glass. Saint Vincent went 22 of 56 (39 percent) from the field for the game.

Grove City remains in a three-way tie for second place in the conference with Bethany and Thomas More. Grove City hosts Bethany at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

Box Score