Beaver Drops to Thiel in OT Heartbreaker

Monaca, PA - On Wednesday, Jan. 20 the Penn State Beaver Nittany Lions men's basketball team fell to the Thiel College Tomcats for the second time this season in a 93-89 overtime loss.

The first half of the game remained close and ended in a 33-32 Thiel advantage, as both teams rallied back and forth in scoring.

In the second half, the Lions pushed ahead to a 7-point lead, but Thiel came back to hold a 9-point lead with nine minutes to go. Beaver went on a run of its own and took the lead again with just under six minutes to go after senior Zack Fetchin (Hopewell High School/Aliquippa, PA) sank two free throws. However, Thiel tied the game (70-70) with just 19.3 seconds to go, and with neither team able to score, the game went into overtime.

The Lions jumped to a quick 6-point lead in overtime, but committed several turnovers that allowed Thiel to catch up. With less than 20 seconds to go, Beaver had a chance to tie the game with a pair of free throws, but the first shot rimmed out, forcing the Lions to send Thiel to the foul line. The Tomcats scored four foul shots that ended the game, 93-89.

Fetchin recorded a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing a game high of 16 rebounds. Sophomore Anthony McPherson (Center High School/Aliquippa, PA) was only two rebounds shy of earning a double-double of his own, as he added 19 points and 8 rebounds for the Lions. Junior David McGarry (Poland Seminary High School/Poland, OH) also reached double figures, adding 13 points in the loss.

The Lions are now 7-0 in the PSUAC and 10-6 overall. They'll host Penn State Hazleton on Friday, Jan. 22 at 8:00 p.m.