Back-to-back lay-ups by senior forward Mike Drahos ignited an 11-0 run early in the game to give the Bison (6-4) a 13-3 lead just over seven minutes into the contest. The Bethany lead stood at 19-10 when the Redhawks (2-5) used three buckets by Nate Davis to spearhead a 10-1 spurt that knotted the game at 20-20 with 5:02 left before the break.
The rest of the half belonged to BC, as they outscored LaRoche 13-0 to carry a 33-20 advantage into halftime. Junior guard Marc Palermo drained two three-pointers and sophomore guard Brody Jackson hit two lay-ups, including one at the buzzer to cap the run. The Bethany defense also did a masterful job in the final five minutes, as the Redhawks missed their final five shots and committed four turnovers.
Bethany opened the second half by swelling their lead to 15 points on a lay-up by senior Matt Drahos. LaRoche later used an 11-2 run to make it a 44-41 BC lead with 12:57 to play. Bethany did extend their lead back to 10, due in part to consecutive treys by senior Scott Mezyk, but the Redhawks would not go away.
Four separate times in the final 5:36, LaRoche moved within four points of the Bison, with the last time being on a pair of free throws by Zack Kostorick to make it 70-66 with 1:04 left. Bethany would finally put the game away at the free throw line, hitting five of six from the charity stripe in the final minute to clinch the victory, their seventh consecutive over LaRoche.
Leading the way for the Green and White, who shot 51 percent (25-49) from the floor and held a 34-24 advantage on the boards, was Mike Drahos. The 6-4 forward totaled 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Also hitting for double figures was Matt Drahos with 10 markers, while junior Chris Stephens had an excellent all-around game with eight points, seven boards, four helpers and three steals.
Kostorick and Davis had 21 points each to lead the Redhawks, who committed 20 turnovers that led to 26 Bethany points in the game.
The Bison are now off until Dec. 30, when they will travel to Muskingum College for a 7 p.m. tip-off with the Muskies.
Bethany College (WV) vs La Roche College 12/13/05 7pm at La Roche College Kerr Fitness Center At La Roche College Kerr Fitness Center BETHANY COLLEGE (WV) 75, LA ROCHE COLLEGE 67 BETHANY COLLEGE (WV) (6-4) Mike Drahos 8-13 7-9 23; Matt Drahos 4-8 2-2 10; Scott Mezyk 3-6 0-0 9; James Wallace 2-5 5-8 9; Chris Stephens 3-4 2-3 8; Brody Jackson 3-8 1-1 7; Marc Palermo 2-3 1-2 7; Josh Polantz 0-2 2-2 2; Joe Sprumont 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-49 20-27 75. LA ROCHE COLLEGE (2-5) Davis Nate 9-14 3-3 21; Kostorick Zack 6-8 3-4 21; Rulnick Josh 5-7 0-0 14; Grady Stacy 3-13 0-0 7; Mbana Ismael 0-2 2-4 2; Lucas Steve 1-2 0-0 2; Barley John 0-0 0-0 0; Clark Roy 0-0 0-0 0; Davis Frank 0-4 0-0 0; Kostewicz Adam 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 24-54 8-11 67. Bethany College (WV).......... 33 42 - 75 La Roche College.............. 20 47 - 67 3-point goals-Bethany College (WV) 5-15 (Scott Mezyk 3-4; Marc Palermo 2-3; James Wallace 0-1; Chris Stephens 0-1; Brody Jackson 0-3; Josh Polantz 0-2; Mike Drahos 0-1), La Roche College 11-20 (Kostorick Zack 6-8; Rulnick Josh 4-4; Grady Stacy 1-5; Davis Frank 0-3). Fouled out--Bethany College (WV)-Matt Drahos; Mike Drahos, La Roche College-None. Rebounds-Bethany College (WV) 34 (Mike Drahos 9), La Roche College 24 (Davis Frank 5; Grady Stacy 5). Assists-Bethany College (WV) 12 (Chris Stephens 4; Mike Drahos 4), La Roche College 16 (Kostorick Zack 6). Total fouls-Bethany College (WV) 20, La Roche College 22. A-200