Published: December 30, 2007 12:07 am         

FSU loses to GCC in Ohio

Green scores game-high 20 in 72-53 loss

MARIETTA, Ohio — Senior Brian Green scored a game-high 20 points but it wasn’t enough as the Frostburg State men’s basketball squad fell to Grove City 72-53, Saturday evening on the first day of the 37th Annual Marietta Shrine Tournament.

The Bobcats (2-8) led at halftime 25-24 but were outscored 48-28 by the Wolverines (7-2) in the second, including a 19-3 run over the final five minutes.

Green scored 13 points in the opening stanza to help FSU to the lead. He finished the contest on 7-of-15 shooting (46.6 percent) with four three pointers to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Senior center Jade Belt chipped in with 10 points for the Bobcats as well.

Grove City was led by two players in double figures. Both Andy O’Keefe and Shawn Carr each netted 18 points. The duo made five baskets each and both were perfect from the free throw line — O’Keefe was 8-for-8 while Carr was 6-for-6.

The Wolverines also managed to shoot 44 percent (22-of-50) from the floor while limiting Frostburg State to 32.7 percent (17-of-52). Grove City also led in total rebounds 37-29.

Grove City held a pair of eight-point first-half leads (10-2 and 16-8) and led for almost the entitre opening period until Green hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left in the half to give FSU its first and only lead, 25-24.

Grove City made the opening basket of the second half and opened a seven-point advantage over the first three minutes. Frostburg State would battle back to tie for the final time at 14:18 (34-34), but Grove City would drain two three-pointers and pair of free throws on its way to opening an eight-point lead at 9:38 (44-36).

Belt hit a three foul shots around the five-minute mark to help FSU narrow the deficit to three, 53-50, but the Wolverines would outscore the Bobcats 19-3 the rest of the way to earn the victory.

FSU plays Waynesburg at 2 p.m. on the final day of the tournament.