With just four second remaining, it was only fitting that Jason Hebeisen, the 6-foot-6 freshman forward that helped keep the Terriers in the game, also had a chance to earn the win for his team.
Hebeisen, who scored 26 points with nine rebounds, missed the first shot that would have created a tie.
After a full timeout by the Tomcats, Hebeisen's second shot was also off the mark. But the rebound fell to Hiram forward Michael McDevitt, whose quick hitter clanged the back of the iron. The rebound from McDevitt's shot, however, was also cradled by a Hiram player, Ian McGuire. McGuire got off a final desperation shot that also failed to fall, and Thiel guard Steffon Radcliff finally secured the win for the Tomcats with the final rebound.
Prior to Hebeisen's pair of misses at the end, the Terriers had made 22-of-25 from the free throw line. Their solid day at the line kept the Terriers in the game while the Tomcats struggled with their free shots, hitting just 9-of-20.
Hiram edged in total rebounds 44-39, and but committed three more turnovers than Thiel.
The win upped the Tomcats' overall record to 3-5. They remain 0-1 in the Presidents' Athletics Conference after last weekend's two-point loss to Bethany College, last year's champion.
The Tomcats held a 34-28 lead at the break behind Joe Herrmann's 11-point first half that included a 5-for-6 mark from the floor. Thiel increased ists lead to eight points early in the second half on Cory Chafee's layup, but never enjoyed the comfort of a double-digit lead.
Chafee led the Tomcats in scoring with 16 points. He also had five steals, two rebounds and two assists. Herrmann finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks while Sharron Summerville netted 13.
The Tomcats return to action on Dec. 29-30 when they travel to the Charles Zimmerman Classic at Wittenberg University for a pair of non-conference games.
Newspaper Box Score Hiram vs Thiel 12/16/06 3 p.m. at Greenville, Pa., Beeghly Gymnasium At Greenville, Pa., Beeghly Gymnasium THIEL 63, HIRAM 62 HIRAM (2-5) Jason Hebeisen 7-8 12-14 26; Michael McDevitt 7-17 2-2 17; Ian Pfouts 2-7 4-5 8; Ian McGuire 1-6 4-6 6; Kevin Shaffer 2-6 0-0 5; Shawn DeJohn 0-5 0-0 0; Brandon Pool 0-2 0-0 0; Nick Epifano 0-3 0-0 0; Mike Staley 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 19-58 22-27 62. THIEL (3-5) Cory Chafee 6-9 4-6 16; Joe Herrmann 5-10 3-4 14; Sharron Summerville 6-17 0-8 13; Geno Bianco 2-3 2-2 7; Brandon Mirizio 2-7 0-0 5; Steffon Radcliff 2-6 0-0 4; Gary Gates 1-3 0-0 2; Wes Siko 1-1 0-0 2; Mike Quaglia 0-0 0-0 0; Tony White 0-0 0-0 0; Greg Hawes 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 25-61 9-20 63. Hiram......................... 28 34 - 62 Thiel......................... 34 29 - 63 3-point goals-Hiram 2-17 (Michael McDevitt 1-5; Kevin Shaffer 1-2; Ian McGuire 0-1; Shawn DeJohn 0-4; Brandon Pool 0-1; Nick Epifano 0-3; Mike Staley 0-1), Thiel 4-11 (Joe Herrmann 1-2; Brandon Mirizio 1-4; Geno Bianco 1-1; Sharron Summerville 1-3; Cory Chafee 0-1). Fouled out--Hiram-None, Thiel-Joe Herrmann. Rebounds-Hiram 45 (Michael McDevitt 10), Thiel 39 (Joe Herrmann 10). Assists-Hiram 7 (Mike Staley 4), Thiel 13 (Brandon Mirizio 4; Sharron Summerville 4). Total fouls-Hiram 16, Thiel 24. A-140