January 19, 2005
Grove City downs Yellow Jackets
WAYNESBURG, Pa. – The Grove City College men’s basketball team moved into sole possession of first place in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Wednesday night with a 71-62 win at Waynesburg, raising Grove City’s record to 9-7 overall and 2-0 in the PAC.
Bethany, Washington and Jefferson, Waynesburg and Westminster are all tied for second at 1-1 in the conference.
Senior forward Ryan Eller (Erie, Pa./Iroquois) fired in 26 points, including 23 in the second half, to help Grove City earn its fourth consecutive victory.
Eller drilled three straight three-point goals in a 61-second span during the second half, turning a 48-46 deficit into a 55-51 Grove City lead. Senior guard J.D. Collar (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson), this week’s PAC and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Player of the Week, followed with a three-pointer that pushed the Wolverine lead to 58-53 with 5:24 left. Collar finished with 14 points.
A two-handed slam dunk by sophomore forward Mark Smith (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) gave Grove City a 62-54 lead with 2:56 left. Eller sealed the win with four free throws in the final 30 seconds.
Grove City shot 16 of 26 (62 percent) from the floor in the second half. Senior center Phil Bushre (Swartz Creek, Mich./Swartz Creek) grabbed eight rebounds, helping Grove City own a 41-29 rebounding edge.
Jeff Nero led Waynesburg (7-9, 1-1 PAC) with 15 points and five rebounds. The Wolverines host Washington and Jefferson Saturday at 3 p.m.Go back to Wolverine Basketball Home Page