BETHANY, W. Va. – The Westminster College men's basketball team lost to Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opponent Bethany College, 76-72, in the PAC Championship Tournament Semifinals Thursday evening.
 
Bethany (16-11) took an early 10-6 lead after Bison Liam Davis made a jumper at the 15:12 mark in the first half. Senior Jarret Vrabel (Canfield, OH / Canfield) made a three pointer to get within three points (12-9) of Bethany, however, the Bison went on an 11-2 run that lasted three minutes and was capped off with a layup by Jerron Athey at the 11:18 mark to give Bethany a 23-11 lead. Bethany led as much as 15 points (33-18) at the 5:53 mark. After starting 1-7 from behind the arc, Westminster (19-8) converted four of their next five three pointers, including three by junior Austin Armwood (Columbus, OH / Westerville North). The Titans used their three-point shooting to propel a 16-4 run and cut the Bison's lead to 38-34. Bethany led by the same at half time.
 
The Titans started the second half with six unanswered points and took their first lead of the game (40-38) since the opening seconds of the contest. After the Bison and Titans traded three pointers, Armwood converted his fourth three of night to give Westminster a 51-47 lead at the 15:12 mark. Freshman Isaac Stamatiades (Elkridge, MD / Avalon) converted a pair of free throws to give Westminster a six-point, 58-52 lead with 10:50 left in the frame. The Bison cut the lead to one (58-57), however, junior Marco Delorenzo (Canfield, OH / Canfield) made a three to give the Titans another six-point lead, 65-59. Stamatiades knocked down another pair of free throws at the 4:16 mark to give Westminster a 67-61 lead.
 
With one minute to go, Andrew Williams of the Bison hit a jump shot to tie the game at 70. On the ensuing possession, Bison guard Calique Jones drove the lane and was fouled by Vrabel, his fifth personal, to give Bethany two free throws. Jones converted both and Bethany led, 72-70, with 25 seconds to play. With 13 seconds to go, Stamatiades missed a three and Bethany captured the rebound, sending Bison Trey Shifflet to the line. Shifflet made both, giving Bethany a four-point, 74-70 lead. Armwood converted on a jump shot seconds later, but the Bison converted two more free throws, giving them a 76-72 lead.
 
Armwood led all scorers with 23 points, including 4-7 from behind the arc. Vrabel and Stamatiades each had 12, while Delorenzo had 11. Stamatiades led all Titan rebounders with seven boards, and sophomore Blake Payne (Ashtabula, OH / Jefferson Area) pulled down five. Armwood dished out a team-high three assists.
 
Bethany outshot Westminster, 50.9% (28-55) to 38.7% (24-62). Westminster edged the Bison in rebounding, 38-37.