December 9, 2009
Hiram nips Grove City
HIRAM, Ohio -- Hiram's Nick Russo drained a three-point goal with five seconds left Wednesday night to lift the host Terriers (4-3) to a 68-65 win over Grove City in non-conference men's basketball action at Price Gymnasium.
Grove City trailed 62-55 with 2:19 remaining but battled back to tie the game. Sophomore guard Brett Matson (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland) converted a three-point play, then hit a pair of free throws moments later to cut the lead to 62-60. Sophomore forward Drew Vandermeer (Clarion, Pa./Clarion) then tied the game at the 1:35 mark with a layup.
Hiram reclaimed a 65-62 lead but senior guard Andrew DiDonato (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) drilled a game-tying three-pointer with 18 seconds left. However, Russo's lone basket of the night proved to be the game-winner.
Hiram led by as many as 13, 30-17, in the first half before Grove City cut the lead to 34-26 by intermission. The Terriers again pushed the lead to 13, 50-37, in the second half but Grove City rallied again to tie the game twice.
Senior center Andy O'Keefe (Perry, Ohio/Perry) paced Grove City with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting. The 25 points match a career high. DiDonato fired in four three-pointers for a career-high 12 points. Matson dished out seven assists. Vandermeer grabbed six rebounds.
For the game, Grove City shot 47 percent (24 of 51). Hiram shot 43 percent (25 of 58). The Terriers out-rebounded Grove City 34-31.
Babajide Eniola led Hiram with 12 points.
Grove City (3-4) returns to Presidents' Athletic Conference play Saturday at Waynesburg. Tip-off is 3:30 p.m.
Go back to Wolverine Basketball Home Page