Late rally sparks Penn State Beaver

By Jim Equels
Wednesday, March 2, 2011

UNIONTOWN, PA - Penn State Beaver had four starters reach double figures as the Lions overcame an 8-point second half deficit to claim a 71-63 win over Miami University Hamilton in the opening round of the USCAA Men's Division II National Tournament.

Trailing at 56-48 with 7:23 left, David McGarry (Poland Seminary/Poland, OH) and Nick Miller (Beaver Falls High School/Beaver Falls, PA) each scored 7 points as Beaver ended the game with a 23-7 run. McGarry got the Lions' game-ending rally started, scoring 7 consecutive points on a tip-in, a 3-point play, and a layup off an assist from Tony Houghton (Perry Traditional Academy/Pittsburgh, PA). 

Miller then tied the game, 59-59, on a drive to the basket before Houghton connected on two free throws to give Beaver a lead at 61-59 with 2:36 left. McGarry led all scorers with 24 points, including 14 in the second half. Houghton also had a big second half, scoring all 13 of his points after intermission. Miller finished with 11 and Billy Stoughton (Slippery Rock High School/Slippery Rock, PA) added 10 as Beaver improved to 18-10.

Beaver moves on to meet top-seeded Vermont Tech at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3.