The Westminster College men's basketball team fell behind by 22 points (60-38) at the half before falling to host Montclair State 103-82 in the championship game of the Mountainside Hospital Holiday Tournament in Montclair, N.J., today. The Titan cagers dropped to 9-3 with the non-conference loss, while MSU improved to 5-5.
The Red Hawks took control of the game early, holding Westminster to a single basket in the game's first 5:27 to take an early 10-2 lead. MSU continued to slowly build the lead during the remainder of the period, closing the half with a 17-6 run over the final 3:49 to build the 22-point advantage at intermission. The Titans would get no closer than 17 points (82-65 with 10:40 left) in the final period.
Montclair State placed four scorers in double figures, led by Michael Gluck with a game-high 24 points. Senior forward Pat O'Connor (Pittsburgh/Keystone Oaks H.S.) led the way for Westminster with 14 points, followed by freshman guard Craig Hannon (New Castle/Union H.S.) with 11 points and both senior guard Ed Pagley (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) and junior guard Mark DeMonaco (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) with 10 each. Pagley also dished out a team-best five assists. O'Connor and DeMonaco were both named to the all-tournament team.
The RedHawks shot 60 percent from the field (40-of-67), including 71 percent from three-point range (5-of-7), to 41 percent for Westminster (28-of-69) overall and 31 percent (15-of-48) from beyond the arc. MSU also outrebounded Westminster 48-24, including 27-9 in the decisive opening half.
Westminster returns to the hardwood this Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, as the Titans travel to Cleveland for a non-leaguie contest at Case Western Reserve University beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America’s Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of 'The Best 357 Colleges' and 'Best 115 in the Mid-Atlantic' by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a 'Character Building College.'
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 40 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.