NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster men's basketball team came back from a halftime deficit to win, 81-74, over Thiel in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action at home on Saturday.
"They came at us early and put us on our heels, but our guys persevered," said head coach
Kevin Siroki. "It was back and forth the whole game and we got a little spread at the end. We made some shots and got some defensive stops when we needed to. They are well coached and they play hard."
Westminster (12-6, 9-3 PAC) had the largest lead by either team in the first half, up eight at 12-4. Thiel (2-13, 1-8 PAC), however, led 35-34 at halftime. The Titans regained the lead following a converted and-one by senior
Daniel Ritter (North Lima, OH / South Range) at 16:34 (40-39). The Tomcats got within one possession of the Titans' lead (61-58) with seven minutes left, however, Westminster would not let them get any closer.
"We just picked up our intensity," said Ritter. "We came off a little sluggish off our sets and on defense. The second half, we made sure we came out with better energy and definitely worked better on the rebounding part too. I wasn't as aggressive as I usually am in the first half. So, I told myself, if I get the ball, go to the rim and get fouled if I can. I got great teammates that can give me the ball. We moved the ball well and it was good for us."
Five Titans scored in double-digits, led by D. Ritter with 17 points. Senior
Anthony Ritter (North Lima, OH / South Range) and sophomore
Reese Leone (Beloit, OH / West Branch) each had 14 points. Senior
Josh Hutcherson (Uniontown, OH / Uniontown Lake) scored 13 points, while sophomore
Andrew Clark (New Middletown, OH / Springfield Local) had 10. Junior
Tyler James (Youngstown, OH / Warren JFK) added nine points. Clark led the Titans on the glass with eight rebounds, while Hutcherson denied a game-high four shots (tying a career-high). Leone dished out a game-high seven assists.
"That is team basketball," Siroki said. "That is great for our players that are sharing the basketball with each other. That is how we are going to win more games and get ready for the tournament."
Westminster outshot the Tomcats, 46.0% (29-63) to 38.7% (29-75).
The Titans are back in action Wednesday, Feb. 2 at PAC foe Chatham. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
