Titans fall in PAC quarterfinals, 95-77

Thomas More jumped out early on Westminster and held on for the win.

By BILL ALBRIGHT

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NEW WILMINGTON — During the regular season, Westminster and Thomas More split a pair of games, each team winning on its home court.

Playing host to the Saints in the quarterfinal round of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference tournament Tuesday night, the Titans were hoping history would repeat itself.

However, the Saints (11-15) jumped out to an early lead and held off Westminster, 95-77, at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium.

“That happened to us in our last four games,” said Westminster coach Larry Ondako of the early deficit. “Somehow, we were able to come back and win the other ones. Realistically, this is what should happen when you jump on top like they did. They just came out with a lot more energy than we did and I am not sure why.”

Seventy seconds into the game, Chauncey Whitlow’s 3-pointer gave the Titans a one-point lead. That was the only lead Westminster (7-19) had, as the Saints went on a 15-3 run and later stretched the margin to 17 (36-19) with seven minutes remaining in the half. Thomas More led 47-36 at halftime.

The Titans got to within five points in the second half on a pair of 3s by Dave Richards and one by Craig Hannon, but the Saints scored eight unanswered points to stretch their advantage back to double digits.

“They did a good job keeping us from going on a big run,” said Ondako. “We would get it back to six or eight and when that happened, I think our guys felt that was something they had accomplished. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the whole way and they would string it back out to 12 or 13.

“I told some people last night that it wouldn’t surprise me if we won the game by 10 or lose it by 20,” said Ondako. “This game tonight just seemed to be the way things went in this league this year.”

If there were two areas that hurt the Titans it was the transition game set up by offensive rebounding and turnovers. Thomas More outrebounded the Titans, 35-22, and had 13 offensive boards. The Titans turned the ball over 18 times compared to just six for the Saints.

“We just had too many turnovers,” said Ondako. “They probably scored at least 10 points in the first half on just straight turnovers that gave them breakaway layups. We just didn’t do a very good job in those two areas.”

The game marked the final game for Westminster seniors Craig Hannon (Union), Chauncey Whitlow (Wilson) and Jake Zatchok (Western Reserve).

“They are just a great group of guys,” said Ondako. “There is nothing that can destroy a team quicker than a bad group of seniors and with only seven wins, they didn’t let that happen. They are the first group of guys I recruited and they had really, really good careers.”

Hannon led Westminster with 31 points, going 10-of-12 from the field and 7-for-7 at the foul line.

“We [seniors] are best friends and will be that for the rest of our lives after the season we just went through,” said Hannon. “I think the three of us kept this team together when it could have easily fallen apart. We feel like we were the glue to this team and we tried our best to hold it together. We fell short of some of our goals, but I will always remember this team for the determination and fight we had.”

Ryne Murray added 12 points for the Titans and Brady Sherrib scored 10.

Matty Owens led five players in double figures for Thomas More with 17.