NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster College men's basketball team won, 90-80, over defending Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champion Chatham University at home Saturday afternoon.
Westminster (11-7, 6-3 PAC), who was only down once early in the game, took its first double-digit lead (22-12) when junior Daniel Ritter (North Lima, OH / South Range) made a fastbreak-jumper with 13:01 on the clock. The Titans controlled the rest of the half and had their largest lead of 27 points twice, with the latest coming with 2:03 on the clock (54-27). Westminster led 54-32 at halftime.
Chatham (11-7, 6-3 PAC) continued to battle and cut Westminster's lead to single-digits (64-57) with 14:09 left. The Titans went back in front in double-digits, however, the Cougars clawed their way back in the game and eventually tied it at 76 (following a 14-1 run) with just under five minutes remaining. The Titans got back in front and maintained their lead for the rest of the game as they outscored Chatham 14-4.
Titan senior Dylan O'Hara (Girard, OH / Girard) led all scorers with 28 points (9-of-17), to go along with a season-high eight rebounds and two blocks (tying a career-high). Ritter and senior Blake Payne (Ashtabula, OH / Jefferson Area) both scored in double-digits as well with 16 and 10 points, respectively. Junior Isaac Stamatiades (Elkridge, MD / Avalon) crashed the boards with a game-high 13 rebounds and was one point away from a double-double. Junior Anthony Ritter (Lima, OH / South Range) added a season-high nine points. Senior Preston Stitt (Boardman, OH / South Range) earned a game-high six assists, tying a career-high.
The Titans, who lost to Chatham in the PAC Championship last season, are now both tied for second place in the conference standings.
Westminster is back in action Wednesday, January 29 with a PAC road game at Thiel College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
