January 19, 2011
Late rally falls short
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's basketball team dropped a 69-62 decision to host Westminster Wednesday night in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at Memorial Field House.
Grove City trailed 64-50 with 1:03 left but eventually whittled the lead to 65-62 with 14 seconds left. Freshman guard Charlie Thomas (Warren, Pa./Warren) started Grove City's comeback with a three-point goal. Freshman Evan Schell (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oliver) followed with consecutive three-point plays. Junior guard Brett Matson (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland) then buried a three-pointer that slashed the lead to 65-62.
Westminster's Anthony DeFelice pushed the lead to 67-62 with two free throws and a Matson three-point attempt missed with six seconds left, allowing Westminster to seal the victory.
Westminster (4-13, 1-6 PAC) jumped out to a 21-7 lead and led 34-22 at halftime. Matson converted a three-point play midway through the second half to pull the Wolverines back to within nine, 46-37.
Matson led Grove City with 17 points. Junior center Kris Verderber (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) tossed in 12 points and senior forward Luke Tomaselli (Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria) added 10 points. The Wolverines shot 42 percent (22 of 53) from the field and committed just 10 turnovers.
Westminster shot 50 percent (24 of 48) from the field, including an 11-for-27 effort on three-point goals. Doug Smith led the Titans with 22 points and Christian Shea added 20.
Westminster outrebounded Grove City (4-12, 1-6 PAC) 35-26. Junior Cody Fleeger (Butler, Pa./Butler) led the Wolverines with six rebounds. Tomaselli had three assists.
Grove City begins the second half of the conference schedule Saturday against visiting Thomas More at 3 p.m.
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