NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster men's basketball team won, 68-66, over Grove City in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) classic at home Thursday night.
"Just playing defense at the end and the whole game," said Head Coach
Kevin Siroki when asked what the keys were to victory. "It is going to be a battle every time you play those guys. It's going to be tough, it's a grind game and you got to grind it out and we did. We made some free throws and big shots when we needed it and had a big defensive stop at the end. I am proud of the guys."
Making his fair of big shots was senior
Anthony Ritter (North Lima, OH / South Range) who led four Titans in double-digits with 20 points, his third 20-point performance of the season, including tying a career-high with a game-best four three-pointers.
"It feels really good," Ritter said. "I am not a big stats guy. I would rather get the win. Tonight, was my job to make some shots for us and have a good offensive game."
Senior
Daniel Ritter (North Lima, OH / South Range) registered 17 points. Sophomore
Reese Leone (Beloit, OH / West Branch) and junior
Tyler James (Youngstown, OH / Warren JFK) scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Leone also dished out a game-high five assists.
"It's about everyone playing as a team, that's all," Siroki added. "There is no one individual, everyone is rooting for each other. We got guys coming off the bench and playing their role. When you see the guys smile within the team, it's a great team and that's why I'm so happy about it. The unselfishness of the team is awesome."
Sophomore
Andrew Clark (New Middletown, OH / Springfield Local) added a game-high three blocks. Senior
Josh Hutcherson (Uniontown, OH / Uniontown Lake) made his presence felt in the paint with a team-high 10 rebounds, to go along with five points.
The first half consisted of six ties. Westminster (10-5, 7-2 PAC) started to take control the later part of the half and finished up 34-28 at halftime. Grove City (6-7, 2-4 PAC) managed to tie the game twice more in the second half with the latest at the 1:03 mark at 66-66. Two clutch free throws in the final seconds by James and D. Ritter proved to be the difference.
The Titans are back in action Saturday, Jan. 22 on the road at Washington & Jefferson with a 3:30 p.m. start. Per W&J's policy, no external fans are permitted.
