LATROBE, Pa (Dec. 7) – Tom Kromka poured in 17 points to help the Bearcats overcome a double-digit deficit and earn a 69-64 victory over the Catholic University of America at the Carey Center.
In a highly anticipated non-conference contest between two NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, the first half lived up to the expectations.
After conceding the opening tip, the Bearcats defense forced the Cardinals into a couple early turnovers, which led to a Matt D'Amico baseline jumper for an early 2-0 lead at the 18:55 mark. The Cardinals answered back with a three pointer from the wing, their first of six for the Cardinals in the first half.
Following an early deficit, the Bearcats offense went on a six point run thanks to a Coy Patterson Jr. outside shot and a much needed layup and free throw by Kromka to give the home team the advantage at 10-9 with 14:42 left in the first half.
A stifling defensive effort from the Cardinals forced the Bearcats into 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game and some strong shooting helped the visiting team gain a 28-21 advantage with 2:52 left in the half.
Showing their resilience, the Bearcats fought back into the game with Patterson slashing into the paint and setting up two layups to cut the deficit to one late in the half. The Cardinals answered with a three-pointer from Louis Khouri, his fourth outside shot in the half, helping putting the Cardinals up 32-28 at the break.
The Bearcats offense was held in check for the better part of five minutes to open the second half, as Catholic increased its lead to 10, the largest of the night.
Saint Vincent, who attempted just one free throw in the first half, did a better job in the second half at attacking the basket. Saint Vincent was into the bonus at the 10:02 mark. Free throws played a major factor in keeping this a tight contest, as the Bearcats made 15-20 from the line in the second half alone. A pair of makes from Austin Ford sparked a six-point run, finished by a D'Amico and-one to tie the game at 49-49 with a little more than eight minutes to play.
After a Catholic bucket, Patterson drove through the lane and converted a second straight and-one opportunity in a row for the Bearcats, helping them recapture their first lead since early in the first half.
Jason Capco followed with a three of his own as the Bearcat's lead rose to 55-51 at the 6:08 mark. From then on, it was a competition at the line to see who would outlast the other. Both sides exchanged attempts from the charity stripe as the game was knotted at 64-64 with 1:23 left. The Bearcat's second half standout was Kromka, who scored 12 of his team-high 17 points, including four straight makes from the charity stripe in the final minutes.
Holding a 66-64 with less than a minute remaining, Kromka answered the call defensively, with back-to-back blocks on the same possession. The defensive stop allowed Ford to ice the Bearcat victory, netting his last three foul shots to help SVC close the game with the final five points.
Kromka filled the stat sheet, totaling 17 points, 6 rebounds and adding 3 blocks. Patterson also finished in double figures with 10 points and 4 assists. Ford chipped in 9 points and 7 rebounds in the victory. D'Amico also finished with 9 points while Austin Dedert provided solid defensive play, with 5 blocks and 6 rebounds.
Catholic was led by Jay Howard, who finished with a double-double, tallying 23 points (11-12 FT) and 11 boards. Khouri poured in a game-high 20 points for the Cardinals.
The win was the third straight for Saint Vincent, who improves to 6-3 overall. The loss was the first of the season for Catholic, who drops to 5-1 overall. Saint Vincent jumps back into PAC play with a road test at Waynesburg on Saturday, Dec. 10. Tip is slated for 3:30.