The win over the Tomcats (4-21, 1-11) also extended the Bison’s winning streak to 16 games and was the program’s 22nd consecutive victory over PAC competition, dating back to last season.
Saturday was also Senior Day at Hummel Field House, as five BC seniors were honored before the game. The pre-game festivities may have distracted the Bison somewhat, as Thiel’s Damien Williams had two buckets during an opening 8-2 spurt, the second largest deficit Bethany has faced in PAC competition this year.
Another lay-up by Williams put Thiel in front 10-5, but that lead evaporated quickly, as senior guard Scott Mezyk drained threes on consecutive possessions to put the Bison in front for good 11-10. Those treys ignited a 22-2 Bison burst that put the home team in front by a 27-12 margin at the 10:08 mark. Bethany maintained their double figure lead throughout the half and when junior guard Marc Palermo, who knocked down two triples during the run earlier in the half, cashed in another shot from deep with 11 seconds to go, BC carried a 42-27 advantage into halftime.
Mezyk and Palermo each had nine by halftime to lead Bethany, who hit 8-of-18 attempts from the arc in the opening period. The Bison also limited Thiel to 27 percent (9-34) shooting in the first half, although Williams did toss in 15 by the break.
Bethany removed all doubt from this game with a 23-6 blitz over the first five minutes of the second half. Mezyk and senior forward Mike Drahos each tallied nine during the run, which pushed the Green and White lead out to 65-33. Bethany, who scored 29 points off 19 Tomcat turnovers in the second half, had as large as a 40-point advantage before settling for the 99-64 triumph.
All five Bison seniors contributed in the win, led by Mezyk, who tossed in 23 points, just one off his career-high. He also accumulated five assists, four steals and four rebounds. Mike Drahos recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the year and 37th of his career.
Rounding out the senior scorers was Matt Drahos, who had 16 points and six rebounds, guard Josh Polantz, who finished with six points and two assists, and guard Mike Yandrick, who drilled a three in the closing minutes.
Rounding out Bethany’s four double figure scorers was Palermo, who matched his career-high with 13 points and also handed out four assists.
The six rebounds for Matt Drahos gives him 899 for his career, just one away from tying the school’s career record of 900 set by Phil Harrison during his career from 1960-64. He also moved to 1,872 career points and is 19 away from surpassing Rudy Yaksich (1,890) for second place all-time at Bethany. Meanwhile, Mike Drahos went over 1,600 career points and now has 1,615 markers to go along with his 850 career boards.
Thiel was led by Williams, who registered 26 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bison are now off until Thursday, when they will host a semifinal contest in the PAC Tournament. Bethany will likely see the winner of the Waynesburg (#4 seed)/Grove City (#5) quarterfinal game, unless Thiel (#7) can knock off Washington & Jefferson (#2) or Thomas More (#6) can upend Westminster (#3). Regardless of whom the Bison play, Thursday’s game will tip-off at 7 p.m., and should BC be victorious, they would host the championship game on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Thiel College vs Bethany College 2/18/06 4 p.m. at Bethany, WV At Bethany, WV BETHANY COLLEGE 99, THIEL COLLEGE 64 THIEL COLLEGE (4-21, 1-11 PAC) Damien Williams 10-21 3-6 26; Dan Quiring 3-6 4-4 13; Andre Jones 4-6 0-0 8; Mike Quaglia 2-6 2-3 6; Gary Gates 1-3 2-2 4; James Beedle 2-9 0-0 4; Tony White 0-5 2-3 2; Steffon Radcliff 0-1 1-2 1; Jeffrey Zelonka 0-1 0-1 0; Stephen Laird 0-2 0-0 0; Geno Bianco 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 22-64 14-21 64. BETHANY COLLEGE (21-4, 12-0 PAC) Scott Mezyk 8-15 2-3 23; Mike Drahos 4-8 7-8 17; Matt Drahos 6-12 4-4 16; Marc Palermo 4-7 2-2 13; James Wallace 1-1 4-6 6; Josh Polantz 2-8 1-1 6; Chris Stephens 3-5 0-1 6; Brody Jackson 0-0 3-3 3; Mike Yandrick 1-2 0-0 3; Joe Sprumont 0-1 2-2 2; Marcus Adams 1-2 0-0 2; Carey Palermo 0-1 2-2 2; Bill Grant 0-2 0-0 0; Matt Kubachka 0-0 0-0 0; Nate Stoner 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-64 27-32 99. Thiel College................. 27 37 - 64 Bethany College............... 42 57 - 99 3-point goals-Thiel College 6-23 (Damien Williams 3-5; Dan Quiring 3-5; Mike Quaglia 0-2; James Beedle 0-5; Tony White 0-1; Stephen Laird 0-2; Geno Bianco 0-2; Andre Jones 0-1), Bethany College 12-28 (Scott Mezyk 5-11; Marc Palermo 3-4; Mike Drahos 2-3; Josh Polantz 1-6; Mike Yandrick 1-2; Chris Stephens 0-1; Matt Drahos 0-1). Fouled out--Thiel College-Gary Gates, Bethany College-None. Rebounds-Thiel College 42 (Damien Williams 12), Bethany College 40 (Mike Drahos 13). Assists-Thiel College 10 (Tony White 3), Bethany College 20 (Scott Mezyk 5). Total fouls-Thiel College 22, Bethany College 20. A-375 Bethany caps first unbeaten regular season in PAC since W&J in 1993-94. The win is Bethany's 16th consecutive this season and 22nd in a row over PAC competition. Bethany will host PAC Tournament semifinal on Thurs., Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.