Matt Phillips scored a career-high 31 points tonight, leading the Grove City College men's basketball to a 100-95 victory over Westminster College in Grove City tonight. It was the first PAC loss of the season for Westminster, which dropped to 11-11 overall and 6-1 in the PAC. Westminster is now tied for first in the PAC with Bethany, a 74-65 winner over Waynesburg tonight. The Wolverines improved to 10-12, 4-3 PAC with the win.
The first half was a wild back-and-forth affair, as Westminster made 14 three-pointers but was countered by Grove City shooting 66 percent (21-of-32) from the floor. The half ended with the two teams knotted at 50-50. The two teams continued to exchange the lead throughout the second half, with Westminster holding as much as a six-point lead (71-65). The game was tied 83-83 with 6:22 to play when Grove City took the lead for good on a layup by J.D. Collar. GCC held a narrow lead the rest of the way. Westminster closed within three points (95-92) with 53 seconds to play, only to see the Wolverines make 4-of-5 free throw attempts in the final 42 seconds to clinch the victory.
In addition to Phillips, Tanner Prosser led GCC with 18 points and a game-high 19 rebounds. Westminster had four players score in double figures, led by junior forward Pat O'Connor (Pittsburgh/Keystone Oaks H.S.) with 26 points, including seven three-pointers. Other double-digit scorers included junior guard Ed Pagley (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) with 18 points, sophomore forward Dom Joseph (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) with 14, and junior guard Chris Hatch (Canfield, OH/South Range H.S.) with 13. Joseph hauled in a team-best nine rebounds and tied sophomore guard Mark DeMonaco (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) for team assist honors with seven apiece.
After making 14 treys in the first half, the Titans shot just 18.5 percent (5-of-27) from beyond the arc in the second half. Westminster was also outrebounded by Grove City 49-37.
The Titan cagers will look to get back on the winning track this Saturday, Feb. 14, as Westminster hosts PAC rival Waynesburg College at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium at 3 p.m.
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