Bison Men's Basketball Drops PAC Bout With Grove City

Jan. 20 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany College men's basketball team erased a 12-point second half deficit, but could not hold on late, as the Bison dropped a 76-70 decision to Grove City College on Wednesday evening.

The Bison had a hard time getting their offense going in the first half, shooting just 24 percent as well as 1-of-9 from outside the three-point arc. However, despite their sluggish start, the Green & White never trailed by more than six points.

The Bison held the advantage early in the opening frame and clung to a two-point lead, 18-16, on a layup by Antonio Rudolph (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) with 5:36 to play. However, Grove City responded with a 9-1 run over the next two minutes, putting the Bison down 25-19 with 3:50 to go.

Bethany closed the first half on a mini run, cutting the Wolverines' lead to three, 31-28, on a pair of free throws by Andrew Williams (Oil City, Pa./Oil City). The Bison would trail by the same score at the break.

Another nine-point run by the visitors opened the second half of play, putting the Bison in a 12-point hole (40-28) through the first three minutes of the stanza.

Bethany would quickly find their shooting touch to pull themselves close to Grove City once again. Williams connected on a long-range three, and was followed by triples from both Alan Harper (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Central Catholic) and Calique Jones (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy). Jones' three at the 14:23 mark pulled the Green & White within three, 40-37.

The Wolverines extended their lead back out to seven points (48-41), before the Bison used another solid run of hot shooting. A 12-4 swing in the hosts' favor gave Bethany their first, and only, lead of the second half, a one-point advantage (53-52) at the 6:40 mark on another three by Harper.

Grove City immediately responded, retaking the lead 20 seconds later on a jumper by Cory Huff, and the Bison were never again able to retake the advantage.

The deciding run of the game came from the Wolverines, as Grove City used a 14-4 run in the final five minutes to expand the lead to 73-63 with just under one minute remaining. Bethany attempted the comeback, getting seven-straight points from Rudolph, but time was not on their side, as the Bison fell 76-70.

Bethany's loss to the Wolverines marked the first time since February 8 of 2010 that the Bison have fallen to Grove City. Prior to tonight, the Green & White had posted 10-consecutive victories over their PAC foe.

Individually, the Bison were led by four in double figures, including Harper and Williams who finished with 15, each. The duo combined for 30 of the team's 70 points, while knocking down seven of the 10 three-pointers.

Jones finished the day with 13 points, while Rudolph notched his fourth double-double of the season, posting 12 points and 12 boards.

The Bison finished the first half of the conference season with a 6-3 record, currently tying them with the Wolverines for third in the PAC standings. The Green & White will open the second half of their conference season on Saturday, January 23, when they play host to Saint Vincent College. The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.