Titans get hot, drop Grove City

Westminster made 20 3-pointers to beat the short-handed Wolverines.

By BILL ALBRIGHT

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — When you are playing with a short bench and your opponent comes out and shoots the eyes out of the bucket from behind the arc, it usually spells trouble for you.

That is pretty much what happened to Grove City (12-7, 5-2) Wednesday night at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium as the Westminster Titans (4-15, 2-5) cruised to a convincing 82-60 win over the Wolverines.

Ten of the Titans’ 15 first-half field goals came from behind the 3-point line. They finished with 20 3s for the game.

“I just really worried when we found out about 15 minutes before the start of the game that all of those kids were out for them,” said Westminster coach Larry Ondako. “You never know how kids are going to react. I probably would have been more worried if we were 17-3 instead of 3-14, but I told the guys tonight, we have to get a win. We were well prepared and to the kids credit, they really came out ready to play.”

In the first meeting the Wolverines shot the 3s very well, but Wednesday it was a different story.

“Credit them with an outstanding night shooting because I don’t think our defense was all that bad,” said GCC coach Steve Lamie. “That was like the Westminster teams of the past three or four years. The players have changed, but the end results were the same.”

Leading by 15 at the break, the Titans continued their long-range assault as they opened the second half by hitting seven more 3-pointers in just 7 1/2 minutes to open up a 62-38 lead.

The Wolverines managed to cut the deficit to 15 points with six minutes left but that was as close as they got.

Leading the Titans was Craig Hannon (Union) with 33 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

“I don’t know if I ever played a better game here, but it was one that we knew we had the opportunities to shoot the open look because Grove City is a very sound defensive team,” said Hannon. “We knew that we were going to be able to penetrate and kick, and as it turned out, we were fortunate they were leaving guys like Chauncey [Whitlow] and myself open. Thank goodness that I didn’t go 3-of-14 or this game might have been a whole lot different.”

Although Hannon has put up many big point totals, both Ondako and Lamie were quick to point out that he is much more than just a pure shooter.

“I was kind of worried after his first two years that when he got closer to this record [all-time school scoring leader] that people would say, ‘Well, they play that style and he was just running around shooting 3s,’ ” Ondako said. “His first two years, that is all we asked him to do, but he has really turned into a fine all-around ball player.”

Added Lamie: “I think he has a reputation of only being a shooter. But right now, I see him as one of the most complete players in this league.”

Ryne Murray added 15 points for Westminster and Whitlow (Wilson) scored 12.

Andy O’Keefe led Grove City with 16 points, Ryan Gerber had 11 and Kris Verderber 10.