February 11, 2009 - Geneva College
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February 11, 2009

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February 11, 2009

CONTACT: Van Zanic
Sports Information Director

(724) 847-6886

vgzanic@geneva.edu

OVERTIME THRILLER, GENEVA RALLIES WITH LATE HEROICS AT WAYNESBURG

Waynesburg, PA - The fans at Marisa Fieldhouse had to wait an extra 15 minutes for the start of Wednesday′s PAC contest between Geneva and Waynesburg because of a power outage. When the lights came back on the fans certainly got their money′s worth. The Golden Tornadoes rallied from ten points down in the final four minutes to send the game into overtime where they escaped with a 101-92 victory. The win was Geneva′s third straight on the road and helped to improve its overall record to 6-15. Waynesburg lost for the sixth straight time and fell to 6-16 on the season.

Geneva took a 42-39 lead into the second half, but Waynesburg quickly took control of the game in the final stanza. The Yellow Jackets led by as many as 12 points in the second half and led 83-73 with 3:35 remaining in regulation. The Golden Tornadoes made a slow, but steady run at the Yellow Jackets and when Lambros Svingos connected on a lay-up with 26 seconds remaining the comeback was complete. A desperation shot from Waynesburg′s Dan Happe at the buzzer fell short and the game headed into overtime.

The extra session was dominated by Geneva when it out scored Waynesburg 15-6 including a 13 of those points coming from the free throw line. The Golden Tornadoes were 32-37 from the foul line for the night, which proved to be the difference. "What an incredible effort," said head coach Jeff Santarsiero. "We were down and out, but we kept battling and came up big at big moments. This is another one of those key moments for a young team. I am thrilled for the result."

The Golden Tornadoes featured six players in double figures including a team best 18 points from Rich Colick. Emilio and Justin Nardi each scored 15 points while Svingos posted 16, including the game tying field goal in regulation. Dave Phillips scored 15 points and was a perfect 4-4 from the foul line. Colick also pulled down a career best 16 rebounds in the victory.

Waynesburg got 26 points from Dan Happe, including seven three point field goals. Ryan Courneen scored 20 points and was 4-6 from three point range.

Geneva will look to extend its road winning streak on Saturday against the newly crowned PAC champion Thomas More College. The Golden Tornadoes return home on February 16th against Penn State Beaver.

Feb 11, 2009