(Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson College men's basketball team suffered a 69-67 defeat in the Days Inn Tip-Off Tournament championship game as Catholic University rallied down the stretch to capture the title on Saturday.
The teams played even throughout the first half and remained that way at 26-26, at the break. The Devils opened the second half with a 16-2 run to pull in front by 11 with just over 15 minutes remaining in the game.
Catholic pulled within one before another Devil run stretched the lead back to double-figures, 56-45, with 7:58 on the clock.
The Devils led 61-51 with 5:43 left to play. The Cardinals hit four three-pointers to cut the deficit to just a field-goal, 67-65, with 1:46 remaining. Following a Devil miss, tournament MVP Shawn Holmes hit a jumper to tie the game.
The Devils missed on the other end and Holmes drove to the basket, scoring with seven seconds on the clock. First-year Gerry Wixted (Moorestown, N.J./Lawrenceville School) had a pretty good look at a long three-pointer, but it was just off the mark.
Wixted was definitely on the mark from the line, setting a tournament record, sinking 20 consecutive free throws over two games. He was 11-for-11 on Friday and finished 9-for-9 today, scoring 15 points and controlling eight rebounds. He dished out three assists as well, earning All-Tournament team honors.
Sophomore Adam Honig (Chappaqua, N.Y./Horace Greeley) earned All-Tournament team honors as well. He hit a key shot last night to lead the Devils into the final, adding 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal on Saturday.
Chris Barsanti (Hummelstown, Pa./Tilton School) turned in a strong performance with 15 points, three assists and three steals, hitting 6-of-7 free throws. Tucker Landy (Durham, N.C./Xavier) reached double-figures with 10 points. Logan Furr (Sharon, Mass./Beaver Country Day) added seven points and three steals.
Holmes finished with 25 points and four steals. Steve Limberiou added 16 points, joining Holmes on the All-Tournament team.
The Red Devils slip to 1-2 overall. They open Centennial Conference play on Tuesday, traveling to Swarthmore for an 8:00 tip-off.