A three-pointer by freshman forward Pat Brannigan at the 12:16 mark put Allegheny in the lead 10-9 but it would be the last time AC held an advantage. Grove City responded with 11 consecutive points and went on to build a 31-17 lead at intermission. The Gators shot just 22 percent (6-27) in the opening half, while the Wolverines hit 10 of 20 shots from the floor (50 percent) and 10 of 11 from the foul line (91 percent).
Grove City extended their lead to 18 points nearly five minutes into the second half before the Gators tried to climb back in the contest. Senior guard Chase McKim buried a pair of threes to pace an 8-0 spurt that brought Allegheny within seven at 51-44 with 11:13 to play. Grove City answered with a 9-2 run to take the advantage back to double figures and although the Gators were able to get within 11 points five times down the stretch, they never moved closer than that in suffering their first loss of the new campaign.
After the dismal first half, Allegheny rebounded a little, as it shot 35 percent (13-37) in the second half. The difference was a Wolverine team that was 19 for 27 in the final 20 minutes, as the visitors shot 62 percent for the game. GCC also held a 39-34 advantage on the glass, although Allegheny grabbed 15 offensive caroms.
Pacing the Gator effort was McKim, who tallied 14 points, four rebounds and four steals before fouling out. Freshman forward Ben Torsney finished with 10 points, as did sophomore guard Casey McCloskey, who was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 assists in the two games.
Freshman guard Justin Schmitt grabbed a team-high nine boards, including six on the offensive glass.
Grove City’s production was spearheaded by forward Ryan Eller, who was named to the All-Tournament team, with 20 points and center Phil Bushre, who received Tournament MVP honors following his 14 point and four assist performance.
Allegheny returns to action next weekend when it hosts the National City Classic. Hiram (Ohio) College and John Carroll (Ohio) University tip things off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, with the Gators and Penn State-DuBois meeting at 8 p.m. The consolation game and championship games will be Nov. 28 at 1 and 3 p.m.
Grove City College vs Allegheny College 11-20-04 8:00 pm at Meadville, Pa. (David V. Wise Center) At Meadville, Pa. (David V. Wise Center) GROVE CITY COLLEGE 83, ALLEGHENY COLLEGE 66 GROVE CITY COLLEGE (2-0) Ryan Eller 6-10 8-10 20; Phil Bushre 5-8 4-7 14; Mike Lukcic 5-6 0-0 11; Shawn Carr 3-7 2-4 8; Matt Phillips 3-5 1-2 7; Bobby Glass 2-4 2-2 7; Ryan Nellenback 1-2 4-4 6; Mark Smith 2-2 1-2 6; Eric O'Brien 1-1 0-0 2; Matt O'Brien 1-1 0-0 2; Chuck Cotherman 0-1 0-0 0; Eric Tinstman 0-0 0-0 0; Nick Mihalic 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-47 22-31 83. ALLEGHENY COLLEGE (1-1) Chase McKim 5-15 0-0 14; Casey McCloskey 3-12 4-4 10; Ben Torsney 3-7 4-4 10; Matt Majzlik 1-6 7-8 9; Brian Schulz 2-5 0-0 6; Pat Brannigan 1-4 2-2 5; Justin Schmitt 2-6 0-2 4; Bill Babe 1-3 1-1 3; Mike Sefscik 0-0 2-2 2; Alex Alper 1-1 0-0 2; Will Ness 0-0 1-2 1; Greg Richards 0-1 0-0 0; Quinn O'Brien 0-0 0-0 0; Sean Brakey 0-0 0-0 0; Larry Sharp 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 19-64 21-25 66. Grove City College............ 31 52 - 83 Allegheny College............. 17 49 - 66 3-point goals-Grove City College 3-7 (Mark Smith 1-1; Bobby Glass 1-2; Mike Lukcic 1-1; Chuck Cotherman 0-1; Shawn Carr 0-1; Ryan Eller 0-1), Allegheny College 7-25 (Chase McKim 4-11; Brian Schulz 2-4; Pat Brannigan 1-3; Justin Schmitt 0-3; Bill Babe 0-1; Greg Richards 0-1; Casey McCloskey 0-2). Fouled out--Grove City College-None, Allegheny College-Matt Majzlik; Chase McKim. Rebounds-Grove City College 39 (Shawn Carr 7), Allegheny College 34 (Justin Schmitt 9). Assists-Grove City College 14 (Phil Bushre 4; Matt Phillips 4), Allegheny College 8 (Casey McCloskey 3). Total fouls-Grove City College 23, Allegheny College 26. A-250 Second night of West Penn Classic John Koch (W&J), Clayton Barlow-Wilcox (CMU), Michael Divens (CMU), Casey McCloskey (ALL), Ryan Eller (GCC), Phil Bushre (GCC) Tournament MVP