The Bison (5-3) scored the opening 10 points of the game, as senior Scott Mezyk and sophomore guard Brody Jackson drilled threes to ignite the spurt, which was capped off by three straight baskets from junior forward James Wallace, as BC took a 24-point lead with just over eight minutes gone in the game.
Pitt-Greensburg was able to cut it to 15 at one time, but Bethany scored nine of the final 14 points before halftime to carry a 49-28 lead into the break. The Bison shot 46 percent in the first half but used a 25-16 rebounding margin, including 11 offensive boards, to streak out to the big lead.
In the second half, Pitt-Greensburg was only as close as 21 points twice until the very end, as Bethany continued to pound the glass. The Bison ended the night with a 49-34 advantage, which included 20 offensive boards that led to 21 second chance points on the night. By the end of the evening, both Matt and Mike Drahos posted double-doubles and junior Chris Stephens had set new career-highs for points and rebounds.
Leading the way was Matt Drahos, who finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks for the 32nd double-double of his career. Mike Drahos chipped in with 12 points and also pulled a career-high 16 rebounds, including eight offensive. Stephens wasn’t far from a triple-double, as he recorded 20 points on eight of 12 shooting, while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing off seven assists.
Pitt-Greensburg was led by Duke Coope with 15 points.
Bethany hits the floor again on Saturday when they host Lake Erie College at 2 p.m. The Storm was the preseason pick to win the AMCC and have also defeated a Division II team this season. The same night Bethany beat Wheeling Jesuit University, Lake Erie was upsetting Edinboro (Pa.) University 66-62.
Pitt-Greensburg vs Bethany College 12/7/05 7 p.m. at Bethany, WV At Bethany, WV BETHANY COLLEGE 88, PITT-GREENSBURG 68 PITT-GREENSBURG (3-4) Cooper Duke 6-14 3-3 15; Scavincky Bill 6-10 0-0 12; Winfrey David 3-5 0-0 9; Rowland Matt 2-5 2-2 7; Gustin Tim 2-3 0-2 4; Waajid Daniel 2-7 0-0 4; Streett Chris 2-5 0-0 4; Davison Rashad 2-6 0-0 4; Liu Zach 1-3 1-2 3; Hill Travis 1-1 0-0 2; Russell Matt 1-2 0-0 2; Polley Jacob 1-3 0-0 2; Pasquinelli Jim 0-0 0-0 0; Rossi Mike 0-1 0-0 0; Persing Steve 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-66 6-9 68. BETHANY COLLEGE (5-3) Matt Drahos 9-18 4-4 23; Chris Stephens 8-12 2-2 20; Mike Drahos 6-9 0-2 12; Marc Palermo 2-4 2-2 7; Scott Mezyk 2-8 0-0 6; James Wallace 3-4 0-0 6; Brody Jackson 2-12 0-0 5; Josh Polantz 1-3 2-2 5; Nate Stoner 1-2 0-0 2; Imani Smith 1-3 0-0 2; Matt Kubachka 0-0 0-0 0; Carey Palermo 0-0 0-0 0; Chris Strcula 0-0 0-0 0; Marcus Adams 0-0 0-0 0; Joe Sprumont 0-1 0-0 0; Bill Grant 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-77 10-12 88. Pitt-Greensburg............... 28 40 - 68 Bethany College............... 49 39 - 88 3-point goals-Pitt-Greensburg 4-17 (Winfrey David 3-4; Rowland Matt 1-2; Streett Chris 0-2; Davison Rashad 0-2; Liu Zach 0-1; Polley Jacob 0-2; Persing Steve 0-1; Cooper Duke 0-3), Bethany College 8-32 (Scott Mezyk 2-8; Chris Stephens 2-5; Marc Palermo 1-2; Josh Polantz 1-3; Matt Drahos 1-3; Brody Jackson 1-8; Nate Stoner 0-1; Mike Drahos 0-2). Fouled out--Pitt-Greensburg-None, Bethany College-None. Rebounds-Pitt-Greensburg 34 (Cooper Duke 6), Bethany College 49 (Mike Drahos 16). Assists-Pitt-Greensburg 11 (Cooper Duke 4), Bethany College 24 (Chris Stephens 7). Total fouls-Pitt-Greensburg 17, Bethany College 14. A-240 Bethany wins third consecutive game. Bison at home again on Saturday, Dec. 10 against Lake Erie at 2 p.m.