BC’s ninth consecutive victory improved their record to 14-4 overall and 5-0 in the PAC. The Wolverines fell to 7-11 and 2-3 in the conference.
Bethany led 9-8 early on before a 10-2 spurt gave them a 19-10 advantage. Senior guard Scott Mezyk had a three and a lay-up, which was followed by a trey and lay-up from Matt Drahos. GCC scored the next two hoops before Bethany’s three-point barrage gave them control of the game.
Junior Marc Palermo drained a triple to make it 22-14. Two possessions later, Mezyk was hammered while swishing a trifecta. He canned the free throw for the four-point play, then on the ensuing possession, the 5-11 guard cashed in another three to give the Bison a 31-15 lead. Grove City only moved within eight once the rest of the half and the Bison went on to carry a 49-32 lead into intermission.
The BC offense continued its recent torrid pace in the opening half, as they hit 17-of-25 shots (68 percent), including six-of-nine (67 percent) from the arc. Matt Drahos had 19 by the break, while Mezyk tossed in 12.
Bethany took advantage of GCC turnovers to put the game away in the second half. The Bison forced 13 of Grove City’s 22 miscues in the second half, which were converted into 24 BC points. For the game, the Bison outscored the Wolverines 40-6 in points off turnovers.
The main focus late in the game became the milestone watch for the Bison. Although the team saw their school-record streak on consecutive 100-point games come to an end at four, Mike Drahos did become just the fifth men’s player in Bethany history to reach 1,500 career points on a lay-up with 8:16 to play. A total of 11 different Bethany players hit the scorebook by the end of the triumph, which was Bethany’s seventh straight win over Grove City and their most lopsided since a 74-34 victory during the 1935-36 season.
Another milestone happened earlier in the game when Matt Drahos, who also tallied five assists, four blocks and three steals in the contest, became the third-all-time leading scorer in Bethany history. His 23 points give him 1,687 points, which brought him past Kevin Kozup (1,667) for third place. Matt’s nine rebounds also give him 818 for his career, as he continues his pursuit of Phil Harrison’s (900) all-time rebounding mark at the school.
In addition to his 18 points, Mike Drahos recorded five rebounds and three steals. Also reaching double figures was Mezyk with 15 and junior Chris Stephens with 12 points.
Grove City was led by forward Daniel Zacour with 14 points off the bench.
The Bison will try to extend their winning streak to double figures Wednesday when they travel to Thiel College. The game will be the second half of a doubleheader with the women’s team and tip-off at approximately 8 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score Grove City College vs Bethany College 1/21/06 2 p.m. at Bethany, WV At Bethany, WV BETHANY COLLEGE 92, GROVE CITY COLLEGE 58 GROVE CITY COLLEGE (7-11, 3-2 PAC) Daniel Zacour 5-9 4-5 14; Bobby Turner 4-4 0-0 8; Craig Hallman 4-6 0-0 8; John Scheller 1-1 4-4 6; Shawn Carr 2-3 0-0 5; Matt Phillips 2-3 1-2 5; Ryan Gerber 2-7 0-0 5; Chuck Cotherman 2-3 0-0 4; Ryan Gibson 1-2 1-2 3; Mark Smith 0-2 0-0 0; Joe Capotosta 0-4 0-1 0; Eric Tinstman 0-0 0-0 0; David Crosby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-44 10-14 58. BETHANY COLLEGE (14-4, 5-0 PAC) Matt Drahos 10-17 1-3 23; Mike Drahos 5-7 7-8 18; Scott Mezyk 5-8 1-1 15; Chris Stephens 6-7 0-0 12; Brody Jackson 2-4 0-0 6; Marc Palermo 1-2 1-2 4; Marcus Adams 2-3 0-0 4; Josh Polantz 1-3 0-1 3; Nate Stoner 1-1 0-0 3; James Wallace 0-2 2-2 2; Joe Sprumont 1-2 0-0 2; Bill Grant 0-1 0-0 0; Matt Kubachka 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-58 12-17 92. Grove City College............ 32 26 - 58 Bethany College............... 49 43 - 92 3-point goals-Grove City College 2-6 (Shawn Carr 1-1; Ryan Gerber 1-3; Joe Capotosta 0-2), Bethany College 12-21 (Scott Mezyk 4-6; Brody Jackson 2-4; Matt Drahos 2-4; Josh Polantz 1-3; Marc Palermo 1-1; Nate Stoner 1-1; Mike Drahos 1-2). Fouled out--Grove City College-None, Bethany College-None. Rebounds-Grove City College 20 (Craig Hallman 4), Bethany College 32 (Matt Drahos 9). Assists-Grove City College 12 (Ryan Gibson 5), Bethany College 22 (Chris Stephens 5; Matt Drahos 5; Marc Palermo 5). Total fouls-Grove City College 14, Bethany College 18. A-520 Bethany wins ninth consecutive game. Bethany's Mike Drahos becomes fifth player in Bethany history to score 1,500 career points. He now has 1,504 career points.