A Mike Drahos (Wheeling, W.Va.) lay-up with 21 seconds left helped lead Bethany to a thrilling 55-53 victory against Muskingum tonight in the squad’s 2004-05 home opening contest. The Bison defense came up huge, as the Muskies were held without a field-goal for the final 6:05 of the game. Muskingum, who lost for the first time all season (4-1), led for the entire second half until Drahos’ lay-up.
Muskingum took a 25-24 lead into halftime and retained the lead throughout the majority of second half, leading by as many as six. Bethany stuck around and rode its defense to victory, as a lay-up by Cole Pitts with 6:05 left to play accounted for their final bucket of the game. The Bison held Muskingum without a field-goal attempt during the final four minutes of the contest.
A free-throw by Matt Drahos (Wheeling, W.Va.) pulled Bethany to within one (53-52) with 1:01 on the clock. After a Muskingum turnover, Matt Drahos came up with a steal and Mike Drahos scored the go-ahead basket later in the possession, giving BC a 54-53 edge with 21 ticks on the clock. After another Muskingum turnover, Josh Polantz (Johnstown, Pa.) hit 1-of-2 free throws with six seconds left, giving the Muskies one last chance to win. However, Jeff Smallwood lost his footing and turned the ball over as time expired.
Matt Drahos led the way with 12 points for the Bison, along with eight rebounds. Mike Drahos, Chris Stephens (Wheeling, W.Va.) and Brandon Duncan (New Salem, Pa.) each added 10 points. Zach Ross led the visitors with 18 points.
After playing three games on three consecutive nights, Bethany will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Hood College at 7:00 p.m.