The Westminster College men's basketball team fell to 10-4 on the season tonight at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium, as the Titan cagers suffered a 109-102 non-conference setback to Juniata College. The Eagles improved to 5-7 with the victory.
Juniata jumped out to a quick 12-5 lead in the first five minutes, but Westminster closed the gap and the two teams played back-and-forth the rest of the period, which ended with the Titans taking a one-point lead (47-46) at the half. The Eagles took control early in the second half, racing to a 10-0 run in the first 2:22 to take a lead they would not relinquish. Westminster got as close as one point (60-59 with 13:10 to play), but never reclaimed the lead. Juniata pulled ahead by as many as 14 points (91-77 with 5:15 left) before holding off a late Titan run in the final two minutes.
Five Juniata players scored in double figures, led by Travis Boyd with 26 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. For Westminster, freshman guard Craig Hannon (New Castle/Union H.S.) led the way with a team- and career-high 26 points, including seven three-pointers. Other Titans to reach double figures in scoring were senior guard Ed Pagley (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) with 23 points and junior guard Mark DeMonaco (New Castle/New Castle H.S.) with 18. DeMonaco also recorded team-best totals of seven rebounds and five steals.
The Eagles shot 51 percent from the field (39-of-77) to just 40 percent for Westminster (35-of-87), while the Titans made 18-of-61 three-pointers (30 percent) to 9-of-24 for Juniata (38 percent). The difference was at the foul line, as the Eagles hit 22-of-29 to just 14-of-24 for Westminster. Juniata also outrebounded the Titans 54-46.
Westminster returns to the hardwood next Saturday, Jan. 15, as the Titans open Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play at Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., beginning at 3 p.m.
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America’s Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of 'The Best 357 Colleges' and 'Best 115 in the Mid-Atlantic' by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a 'Character Building College.'
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 40 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.