Beaver Falls, PA – Starting the game down by three baskets, the Golden Tornadoes trailed until there were three minutes left to all-time rival Westminster. Back-to-back Westminster turnovers, David Oliver’s (Sewickley, PA/Quaker Valley) outstanding rebounding combined with Chaese Vaudrin’s (Uniontown, OH/Lake) perfect free throw night lifted Geneva 75-74 in a classic Geneva Westminster rival game final Saturday night. The electrifying comeback raises Geneva’s overall record to 2-13, 2-6 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).
The night started out honoring the 20th reunion of Geneva’s National NAIA Elite Eight 1995-96 team.
“When these two teams play, it’s always going to come out that way,” said Geneva head coach Jeff Santarsiero, an assistant in 1995-96.
“We finally battled for a whole game. We gave up 43 in the first half and only 31 in the second.
“David Oliver and Timon Gribbin played great off the bench and this was a great win. We’re still only 2-13 but it still feels great to get the win.”
Oliver’s four defensive rebounds helped increase the lead as the game was coming to a close. Making his second throw from the charity stripe, Oliver’s good basket was enough to not only avoid overtime but give Geneva fans everywhere a reason to get on their feet.
Ethan Adamczyk (Uniontown, OH/ Lake/Lake Erie) showcased a double double with team-high 24 points, 10 rebounds.
Vaudrin finished the night with 19 points including a perfect 13-13 performance at the line. His stainless free throwing tied the game at 2:29 at 68-68 and claimed the only lead change of the game at 69-68.
Wednesday, Saturday 20 Geneva tips-off in Waynesburg, PA at 7:30 p.m. against the Yellow Jackets.
Geneva College invites students to step forward and leap ahead with an academically excellent, Christ-centered and affordable education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majors, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and campus-based options, and high-demand advanced graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top 10 Best Value with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the inerrancy of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
