Beaver Ends Season With 21-4 Victory, Best in School's History

By: Alexis Shelton

Beaver Falls, PA- The Men's Basketball Team of Penn State Beaver (21-4, 16-1 PSUAC) played their last game of the regular season tonight, against a tough NCAA Division III Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA).

Beaver started out the game on a 5-0 run thanks to a three point shot from Freshman Patrick Horton (Farrell/Farrell, PA) showing great signs for Beaver early. Geneva responded however, but not before Beaver had an early 9-2 lead causing the Golden Tornadoes to call an early timeout. Geneva tied the game at 13 with 14 minutes left in the half and began a run that would give them a lead for the rest of the half. Beaver trailed going into halftime 45-42.

A steal and assist from Nick Miller (Beaver Falls/Beaver Falls, PA) leading to a layup by Darius Prince (West Mifflin/Pittsburgh, PA) put Beaver on the board first in the second half, bringing the game within one (45-44). The game remained close, as Geneva had their biggest lead of the night of seven (67-60) with 15:04 left in the game. Beaver went on a 7-0 run however, and tied the game at 67 a piece (10:47). The game consisted of multiple lead changes and ties, but coming down to the closing minutes, Beaver caught some momentum. Beaver lead by as much as six with 2:12 left in the game, but Geneva tied the game again at 85 with just 45 seconds left in the game. With an important possesion in their hands, Julian Taylor (Rochester/Rochester, PA) drove down the middle of the paint to score as well as draw the foul. Taylor made the extra point, and Beaver had an 88-85 lead with 33 seconds left on the clock. Geneva tried to look for an open three, but great defense from Beaver forced a turnover. Taylor was fouled again on a rebound going to the free throw line with just under a second left in the game. Beaver went on to win tonight 89-85. This is the first time Penn State Beaver has ever defeated Geneva College at Geneva.

For the evening, Miller lead the team with 17 points, followed by Chris Weathers (New Brighton/New Brighton, PA) and Horton with 14 each, Prince with 11, and Taylor with 10 points of his own. Beaver shot 53.1% from the field, including 34.8% from three-point range, and 65% from the free-throw line. Tonight's win also gave Beaver their best record in Penn State Beaver history.

Beaver will be the #1 seed in the PSUAC playoffs. Their first game will be next Tuesday, February 21, 2012. The time and opponent will be announced at a later date.