Tomcats Fall in PAC Championship Game
 Matt Jackson
 
2/26/2011 8:58:08 PM

GREENVILLE, Pa. — Thiel came up short in its bid for a Presidents' Athletic Conference title in men's basketball Saturday with a 74-67 loss to visiting Bethany at Beeghly Gymnasium.

With the championship, the Bison receive the PAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, while the Tomcats will now play the waiting game to find out if they will be given one of 18 at-large bids. The selection will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday.

It was a tight, back-and-forth game all the way Saturday, but Thiel was done in by a very poor night at the foul line. The Tomcats made just eight of 19 attempts while Bethany posted a 27-of-33 mark at the charity stripe.

Blair Rozenblad (Youngstown, Ohio, Kennedy Catholic) scored on an assist from Lance Randall (Canfield, Ohio, Ursuline) to give Thiel a 61-60 lead with 4:26 left. Bethany took a four-point lead with a Nick Wilcox bucket and a 3-pointer by James Barton, before Rozenblad scored on a tip-in to pull the Tomcats within two, 65-63.

On the next drive, Barton came through with a key play in the game. Attempting another 3-pointer, Barton missed the shot but was fouled on the way down. He hit all three free throws to put the Bison back up five, 68-63.

The Tomcats would score two more baskets, both inside by Aundra Jones (Youngstown, Ohio, Kennedy Catholic), but both were answered immediately by Bethany.

Bethany was led by British Alexander with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Reece Mabery scored 20 points, doing a lot of damage at the line with a 12-of-14 night. Barton and Brady Pacfic also reached double-figures with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Devon Adams (Philadelphia, Pa., George Junior Republic) had a great night from beyond the arc, making five of his 11 3-point attempts, including three in the second half. He led the Tomcats with 15 points and dished out five assists. Jones registered 13 points, Rozenblad finished with 12 and Randall scored 10. Randall also added four steals.

If the season does end for Thiel, it finishes with its winningest season ever with a 20-6 record.