January 31, 2004
Grove City holds off Presidents
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Senior forward Tanner Prosser (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brentwood) fired in 24 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and added five assists as the Grove City College men's basketball team pulled out an 80-77 victory over Presidents' Athletic Conference rival Washington and Jefferson Saturday afternoon at the Henry Memorial Center.
Junior forward Ryan Eller (Erie, Pa./Iroquois) added 18 points as the Wolverines improved to 3-2 in the PAC, 9-10 overall. Eller's short jumper in the paint with 40 seconds broke a 76-76 tie and put Grove City up for good.
A desperation three-point attempt from President guard Jon Koch was off the mark at the horn, preserving Grove City's win. Koch led Washington and Jefferson with 23 points.
An Eller basket with 12:21 left in the game gave Grove City its largest lead of the game at 57-44. The Presidents whittled Grove City's lead away and eventually took a 75-74 lead with 1:41 left on an inside basket from Steve Button. But a layup from sophomore swingman Matt Phillips (Bainbridge, Ohio/Kenston) on Grove City's next possession put the Wolverines ahead.
Koch tied the game by splitting a pair of free throws.
Grove City committed just 11 turnovers in the win. Junior point guard Mike Lukcic (PIttsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) had six assists while junior guard J.D. Collar (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) had four assists. Prosser also blocked three shots.
Grove City led 37-35 at the half. The Wolverines did not make a three-point goal, missing all 10 of their attempts. It is the first time in 51 games that Grove City did not make a three-pointer.
It is also the first time that Grove City has won despite not making a three-pointer since a 67-51 home victory over Alfred Jan. 25, 1997.
Grove City visits Frostburg State Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Go back to Wolverine Basketball Home Page