Koch finished the day with 19 points and six rebounds and was named the Tournament MVP. Sophomore forward Brandon Mimes scored 21 points to go with 18 in Friday’s semifinal win and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Senior guard Michael Grogan scored a game-high 23 points on a 6-for-14 effort from 3 for the Blue Streaks (2-0). Sophomore forward Damon Bogan scored 23 on the strength of a 5-for-8 3-point effort to lead Alvernia and earned All-Tournament Team honors.
Neither team managed to build a lead over 10 in the first half with Alvernia holding the largest gap, a 28-19 lead on a Bogan 3. Senior Steve Royles tipped in two of his four on the Crusaders next possession to hold the nine point lead, but JCU scored eight straight points over two minutes to close the gap to one, 30-29. Junior guards Mike Brock and Lamar Brickus hit 3s on successive trips for Alvernia and the lead swelled back to seven, 36-29. John Carroll closed back to two points later in the half, but Alvernia enjoyed a 4-point edge at the break, 45-41, despite giving up 17 second-chance points on 16 offensive rebounds.
Junior center Brandon Thompson scored two of his 13 points for the Crusaders to open the second half and the lead eventually grew back to nine, 62-53, again following a Bogan 3. As they did in the first half, JCU quickly responded as Grogan nailed a 3 and Mimes caught an alley-oop on a baseline inbound to close the gap to four. The Streaks continued to carry momentum as Grogan dropped in another 3 and Koch recorded a 3-point play that had JCU up 68-66 with 8:42 left in regulation. After Mimes put the guests up three with a layup Alvernia ran off an 11-3 spurt and was up 80-73 with 2:19 on the clock.
Senior forward Andrew Salata started a Blue Streak run with a layup and Grogan hit a 3 to pull within two. Brock, who finished with 14 points and a team-high five assists, failed to increase the lead for Alvernia missing twice from the charity stripe with 1:03 left. JCU sophomore Pete Moran pushed the second miss up court and drove hard to the basket before kicking out to Grogan who calmly knocked down a 3 to put JCU up one, 80-81, with 58 ticks on the clock. Bogan answered the 3 from the corner to put Alvernia up two, but Salata dropped in a wide-open layup with eight seconds left that forced the first overtime.
Brock and Koch traded 3s to start the first overtime and Brock’s free throw with two minutes left tied the game at 90-all, but neither team scored again forcing the second overtime.
Reserve forward Chris Talley hit 5-of-6 free throws for Alvernia in the second extra period, the last two putting the hosts up 102-100 with 35 seconds left to play. Koch handled the ball for most of the final possession seemingly content to have one final shot. Brock drew the defensive assignment and cut off penetration from the top of the key, but the 5-11 senior was able to step back and bank in the game-winner.
Newspaper Box Score John Carroll vs Alvernia 11/20/04 3:00 pm at Reading, PA - Physical Education Center At Reading, PA - Physical Education Center JOHN CARROLL 103, ALVERNIA 102 JOHN CARROLL (2-0) Michael Grogan 8-18 1-6 23; Brandon Mimes 8-13 5-12 21; Peter Koch 6-16 3-3 19; Andrew Salata 8-16 0-0 16; Demetrius Travis 4-9 1-2 9; John Curran 2-6 0-0 6; Pete Moran 1-9 2-4 4; Justin Ragor 1-2 0-0 3; Chris Day 1-4 0-0 2; Kyle Roggenburk 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 39-94 12-27 103. ALVERNIA (1-1) Damon Bogan 9-15 0-0 23; Zach Straining 5-10 8-11 18; Lamar Brickus 5-11 6-8 17; Mike Brock 4-6 4-7 14; Chris Talley 4-5 5-6 13; Brandon Thompson 6-7 1-4 13; Steve Royles 2-3 0-0 4; Ryan Finger 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 35-59 24-36 102. John Carroll.................. 41 42 7 13 - 103 Alvernia...................... 45 38 7 12 - 102 3-point goals-John Carroll 13-34 (Michael Grogan 6-14; Peter Koch 4-11; John Curran 2-3; Justin Ragor 1-2; Pete Moran 0-2; Chris Day 0-2), Alvernia 8-19 (Damon Bogan 5-8; Mike Brock 2-4; Lamar Brickus 1-3; Chris Talley 0-1; Zach Straining 0-3). Fouled out--John Carroll-Andrew Salata, Alvernia-Ryan Finger. Rebounds-John Carroll 54 (Brandon Mimes 15), Alvernia 34 (Damon Bogan 9). Assists-John Carroll 16 (Pete Moran 8), Alvernia 19 (Mike Brock 5; Ryan Finger 5). Total fouls-John Carroll 27, Alvernia 24. A-275 Championship Game - 7th Annual Dr. Kleppinger Tip-Off Classic