MARIETTA, Ohio - The Westminster College men's basketball team defeated Olivet, 80-67, Friday night in the first round of the 36th annual Marietta Shrine Tournament hosted by Marietta College. The Titans (6-5) advance to play the winner of Marietta-Lynchburg Saturday at 4 p.m. in the finals.
Senior guard/forward Dom Joseph (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) led the Titans by scoring a game-high 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 5-10 from 3-point range.
Joseph sank all five of his treys in the first half, including his fifth that gave Westminster a sound 13-point, 35-22 lead with 6:42 left in the opening half. Westminster was 10-22 from 3-point range in the first half alone and 13-40 for the game.
Westminster led 45-33 at the half and took its largest lead of the game when junior guard Craig Hannon (New Castle, Pa./Union) nailed a 3-pointer to give the Titans a 19-point, 54-34 lead with 15:35 remaining.
The Comets (2-7) cut the deficit to seven points (69-62) with 4:09 remaining, but the Titans were able to thwart off the comeback and secure the 13-point victory.
Titan freshman forward Ryne Murray (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) registered his second double-double of his career with a game-high 10 rebounds to go with his 17 points.
Senior guard Nick Adams (Huntsburg, Ohio/Cardinal) was the third double-digit scorer for the Titans with 11 points.
Jeff Cooper paced the Comets with 15 points, while Joel Kerns and Brandon Way had 11 and 10, respectively.
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 361 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a "Character Building College."
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.
