Grunst also recorded 10 points and six rebounds en route to earning the Robert L. Brynes Most Valuable Player award. Grunst was joined on the all-tournament team by Dane Borchers and Andy Bucheit of Wittenberg University, Aaron Dawson of Whittier College, Michael Faherty of Washington University and Reggie Stovell of Tufts University.
Faherty finished with a career-high 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range and junior Scott Stone had 14 points and four assists. Bucheit had 15 points for Wittenberg while Borchers added 14.
After trailing 6-2 early in the game, Stone connected on a three-pointer to put Washington U. up 18-15. Back-to-back three-pointers by Faherty put the Bears up 29-26 with 2:33 remaining in the half. Stone hit a three to make it 32-28 and then junior Josh Henry hit his second career three-pointer at the buzzer to send the Bears to the locker room with a 35-29 lead.
The Bears never trailed in the second half, but a lay-up by Borchers cut the lead to 50-47 with 8:39 left. Faherty connected on a three-point play to make it 65-58 with 3:00 left, but the Tigers would mount a comeback. Daniel Russ of Wittenberg scored on three consecutive possessions to make it 65-64 with :51 seconds remaining.
Grunst was fouled and made two free-throws to make it 67-64 with 34 seconds left and then Borchers responded by making 2-of-3 free-throws after being fouled on a three-pointer by senior Rob Keller to make it 67-66. Faherty sealed the wins with two free-throws as Washington U. won its fifth straight Lopata Classic title.
Washington University's defense held Wittenberg to a 32.2 percent (19-59) shooting clip from the field and forced 13 turnovers. The Tigers outrebonded Washington U. 43-28, including a 19-4 advantage on the offensive glass.
Washington University (2-0) returns to action Tue., Nov. 23 at second-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Shirk Center.