Box Score
Site: Gallagher Center (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Final Score: Philadelphia University 85, Goldey-Beacom 77
Records: Goldey-Beacom (4-4, 2-2), Philadelphia University (7-3, 4-1)
Next GBC Event: Wednesday, Dec. 18 vs. Chestnut Hill | 8 p.m. | Joseph West Jones College Center (Wilmington, Del.)
GBC-Philadelphia University Box Score: HTML
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Playing in front of a national television audience for the first time in school history, the Goldey-Beacom College men's basketball team nearly defeated Philadelphia University on its home floor. However, the Rams (7-3, 4-1) used a late surge to earn their third straight win, an 85-77 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over the Lightning (4-4, 2-2) before 1,250 fans at the Gallagher Center on Saturday afternoon.
While the Rams were able to earn their third win in a row, they also ended the Lightning's three-game win streak while improving to 9-1 all-time against Goldey-Beacom at the Gallagher Center.
After the Lightning took a 51-50 lead with 13:24 remaining on a traditional three-point play by freshman guard
Donte McGill (Mont Clare Academy/Newark, Del.), the Rams put together a quick six-point spurt on back-to-back three-point field goals from sophomore guard
Andre Gibbs (Smyrna H.S./Smyrna, Del.) and junior guard
Nick Schlitzer (Pottsville H.S./Pottsville, Pa.) to gain a 56-51 edge with 12:51 remaining.
The Lightning trimmed the deficit to 58-56 with 11:40 left before senior guard
Nick Christian (Bensalem H.S/Bensalem, Pa.) scored on a rebound of his own shot to give Philadelphia University a 60-56 lead it did not relinquish with 10:55 remaining.
The Rams built an early 12-7 lead in the opening 5:15 of the first half before the Lightning scored six of the next eight points to narrow the gap to 14-13 with 12:14 remaining on a McGill jumper.
After a quick six-point surge by the Rams upped their advantage to 20-13 with 10:15 left, the Lightning scored 10 of the next 14 points for a 24-23 deficit with 6:49 left before the intermission on a jumper by junior guard
Jarrel Lane (St. Patrick H.S./Rahway, N.J.).
The Rams extended their advantage to 30-23 with another six-point spurt before the Lightning battled back with five straight points, closing the margin to 30-28 with 4:36 remaining.
However, Philadelphia University held onto its advantage and took a one-point edge into the intermission.
One of five Philadelphia University players to score in double figures, Schlitzer scored a season-high 24 points, including 20 in the second half. He made 7 of 10 shots from the floor, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance from three-point range, in addition to converting 7 of 9 free throws.
Meanwhile, sophomore forward
Peter Alexis (Holy Redeemer H.S./Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) posted a "double double" by scoring 18 points with a game-high 11 rebounds while Christian contributed 15 points with eight rebounds.
McGill led the Lightning in the loss by scoring a season-high 21 points after converting 7 of 14 field goal attempts and six of seven free throws. Junior center
Chris Gebhart (Cherry Hill West H.S./Cherry Hill, N.J.) added 14 points with five rebounds and three blocked shots while senior forward
Will Williams (Keystone National H.S./Flushing, N.Y.) tallied a season-high 13 points with five rebounds.
The Lightning, who were playing just third game in the last three weeks, will return home on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to host Chestnut Hill College in the second game of a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at 8 p.m.
Game Notes:
• The Lightning shot a season-high 55.2 per cent from the field and also made a season-high 32 field goals.
• In the second half, Goldey-Beacom shot 60.0 per cent from the field ... Over the last two games, the Lightning have converted 64.8 per cent of their field goal attempts.
• McGill is the second GBC player to score 20 or more points in a game this season ... In the Lightning's 85-73 win over Georgian Court on Nov. 26, junior guard
Kyle Steinbergin (Teaneck H.S./Englewood, N.J.) tallied a career-high 26 points.
• The Lightning committed just seven turnovers in the loss against Philadelphia University on Saturday, marking the sixth time in eight games they have limited themselves to fewer than 10 turnovers.
• The Lightning allowed a season-high 85 points in the loss against Philadelphia University on Saturday.
• Philadelphia University scored 80 or more points for the fifth time this season.
• Led by McGill, the Lightning bench outscored Philadelphia University by a outstanding 30-1 margin.
