BOBCATS FALL IN NCAA OPENER

The Pitt-Greensburg men's basketball team stood toe-to-toe with the #10 team in the nation, but an extended run by Ohio Wesleyan in the final five minutes of the first put the Bobcats in a big halftime hole.  In the second half, coach Sean Strickland's team showed the hard work and character that carried them through the successful season but ultimately fell to Battling Bishops, 114-68.

The loss ends the season for the Bobcats, who close the year with a 19-10 record while earning the program's first ever NCAA tournament bid.  Ohio Wesleyan improves to 24-4 and moves on to face Lynchburg in the national tournament's second round.

After OWU opened the first two minutes with a 12-2 run, Pitt-Greensburg would get to work, outscoring their opponents 14-5 over the next two minutes and 25 seconds to pull within one at 17-16.  The Bobcat rally was capped by a Mike Connelly three-point play, but prompted a response by the Battling Bishops.  The host then scored eight straight points, pushing the margin to 25-16.  UPG battled back and with a Rocco Contristano three pointer at the midway point of the half, pulled back within a bucket at 27-25.  Ohio Wesleyan began to pick up steam down the stretch, increasing their advantage to 59-37 by the time the teams broke for halftime.

The Bobcats were kept at arm's length in the second half, eventually falling by the 114-68 final.

Pitt-Greensburg finished the night shooting 36.4% from the floor and 21.2% from three.  Ohio Wesleyan finished 50% of their offensive opportunities and 29.3% from downtown.

The Bobcats were led by Connelly's 20 points and also get strong performances from fellow seniors Marcus Thomas, Contristano, and Jerell Figueroa.  Thomas finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Contristano's 12 points and six boards, and Figueroa's 10 points.