Geneva Winless in Tip-Off Tournament

Beaver Falls, PA – Only one other time in the history of Geneva’s Tip-Off Tournament have the Golden Tornadoes ended the weekend winless. Not since 2004 had the Golden Tornadoes started the home season with a pair of losses until they dropped back to back games to start the 2011-12 home schedule. Following a three-point loss to Pitt-Greensburg on Friday, Geneva led just once on Saturday and dropped a 63-47 decision to eventual tournament champion Mt. Union. The Purple Raiders were the only team to go 2-0 on the weekend after upending Grove City in overtime on Friday night. Ironically, Mt. Union was the only team of the four to come into the weekend without a victory.

Geneva could never get its offense on track. In fact, the Golden Tornadoes connected on just five field goals in the first half while shooting 28% from the field. The Purple Raiders led by as many as 16 points in the first half and took a 36-21 lead into the break. Geneva tried to comeback in the second half and cut the lead to five points at 40-35 with 12:39 to play. Geneva could get no closer as Mt. Union continued to stretch the lead down the stretch. “We had no consistency whatsoever,” said Geneva head coach Jeff Santarsiero. “We have a lot of work to do to get to where we need to be. I give Mt. Union a lot of credit for out playing us and out working us. We need to find some positives to take away from this weekend and move forward. We have a lot of season in front of us.”

Junior Matt Lorello was one of the bright spots for Geneva over the weekend. After posting 18 points on Friday, Lorello led Geneva with 19 points and seven rebounds on Saturday. He was 5-8 from the field and 9-11 from the foul line and earned All-Tournament recognition. The Golden Tornadoes again struggled from long range shooting just 12% from three-point range on 16 attempts.

Mt. Union’s Steve Griffin earned All-Tournament MVP honors for his game high 22 points including 6-9 shooting from three-point range. Teammate Jimmy Wood was also selected to the All-Tournament team with 12 points and six rebounds on Saturday.

Geneva will head across town on Tuesday to face Penn-State Beaver before returning home next Saturday to host LaRoche College at 3 pm.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College’s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).