Men's Basketball: Fox’s career night not enough as Bison fall to Titans
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Westminster (Pa.) (7-2,5-1 PAC) | 41 | 37 | 78 |
|
Bethany (0-9,0-7 PAC) | 36 | 41 | 77 |
Drew VonScio, Student Assistant for Athletic Communications
BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College men's basketball team hosted Westminster College tonight in a PAC matchup at home still searching for win number one on the season. Despite freshman Tony Fox putting up a whopping 22 points off the bench, Bethany fell 78-77.
Cole Dailey gave the Green and White an early lead under two minutes into the opening half with a jumper, and Quinn Hiles connected with a three a short time later. Westminster would pull ahead by five early on, but Bethany kept it within a few possessions for the first time all season. A pair of Troy Hixson free throws brought the hosts within five just over halfway through the first stanza, but then Fox's magic started by grabbing a defensive rebound, sinking a jumper, and completing the three-point play with a foul shot. A triple from Brendan Riggs brought the Bison within a single point before the Titans went on a 7-0 run. Both sides went back and forth over the final several minutes, but Westminster went into the break ahead 41-36.
Using their recipe for success as they have many times this season, the Green and White went out and put on a show in the second half. Despite quickly having the deficit doubled under three minutes into the back half of the contest, Bethany found their mojo with a layup from Fox, a jump shot out of the hands of Hiles, and a jumper from Fox. With just over a dozen minutes remaining, a three from Riggs and a double from Fox pulled Bethany within one. Despite Westminster using a timeout, the bleeding could not be stopped as the Bison went on an 11-2 run forcing the visitors to burn yet another timeout. Bethany led by as many as 13 with under eight to play, but Westminster was not done yet as they went on a 15-3 run to cut the Bison lead to one with less than three minutes to play in regulation. The contest came down to the 40th and final minute as a Fox jumper with 61 seconds to play gave Bethany some late life, but a three-point play for the Titans with 20 seconds remaining proved to be the knockout punch against the Green and White.
Fox's 22 points were crucial as Bethany thumped Westminster 52-6 with points from the bench as Riggs put up 15 of his own, and Logan Wright added 10. Fox also led his team with seven rebounds. The Bison will be back at it in three days' time when they host Mt. Aloysius in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m.
