December 12, 2007
Win streak stopped in OT
HIRAM, Ohio -- The Grove City College men's basketball team fell to 6-2 overall Wednesday night with a 78-76 overtime loss at Hiram in non-conference action at Price Gymnasium. The setback snaps Grove City's six-game win streak.
Hiram forward Ian Pfouts poured in a lay-up from the right side of the lane with three seconds left, breaking a 76-76 tie. Pfouts scored seven of his 13 points in the overtime period.
Four Wolverines scored in double figures, led by senior guard Shawn Carr (New Castle, Pa./Mohawk) with 16. Junior guard Joe McCoy (Newark, Ohio/Newark) fired in 15 points, including four three-pointers. Sophomore center Andy O'Keefe (Perry, Ohio/Perry) recorded 13 points, along with a game-high eight rebounds while junior guard Ryan Gibson (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) contributed 11 points.
Grove City trailed 38-30 at halftime. Hiram (2-5) extended its lead to 53-41 with 13:29 left in regulation but Grove City used a 19-3 run to forge a 60-60 deadlock. Sophomore Luke Tomaselli (Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria) tied the game with a three-point play at the 6:18 mark.
Carr drained a three with four minutes left to give Grove City its only lead of the second half, 63-62. Carr had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but his off-balance shot popped in and out at the buzzer.
Grove City limited Hiram to 31 percent shooting (10 of 32) from the field in the second half. However, Hiram connected on five of six shots in overtime. Hiram also out-rebounded the Wolverines, 38-32. For the game, Grove City shot 27 of 53 (51 percent) from the field while Hiram went 29 of 69 (42 percent).
Mike McDevitt led Hiram with 16 points. O'Keefe and senior forward Bobby Turner (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) both had five assists for the Wolverines. Grove City committed 19 turnovers. Ten of the turnovers came in the first half.
It is the third straight season that Grove City and Hiram have gone to overtime. Two years ago, the Wolverines earned a 77-76 double-overtime win at Hiram. Last year, Hiram won in two overtimes at Grove City, 97-93. Each of Grove City's last five games have been decided by four points or less.
Grove City returns to action Dec. 29 against Frostburg State in the Marietta Shrine Classic.
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