Wednesday, January 28, 2004

PRESBYTERIAN RALLIES PAST CATAWBA 69-67 IN OVERTIME
PC'S Drum scores career-high 30 points in victory

SALISBURY, NC – Presbyterian senior Andrew Dellinger (Mauertown, VA) hit a three-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime and the Blue Hose went on to post a 69-67 win over host Catawba in South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action on Wednesday night at Goodman Gym.  

The win improves Presbyterian to 12-7 overall and 3-3 in the SAC, while Catawba falls to 6-13 and 1-5.

Dellinger’s basket capped a 13-3 run by Presbyterian over the final two minutes of the game.  Michael Drum (Rural Hall, NC), who scored a career- high 30 points in the win, started the rally with a three-pointer with 1:30 remaining.  Helgi Magnusson (Reykjavik, ICELAND) made two free throws with 1:11 left to give Catawba a 60-51 lead then Drum hit a layup.  After a missed free throw, Melvin Smith (Roanoke, VA) canned a trey to trim the PC deficit to 60-56 with 39 seconds remaining.

Drum would reduce the margin to 60-58 on a layup with 14 seconds remaining after a Catawba turnover.  Duke Phipps (Newport News, VA) would hit one of two free throws with 14 seconds left to set up Dellinger’s late basket. Drum would make one more dramatic play at the end of regulation as he blocked Magnusson’s layup as time expired with the game tied at 61 all.

The Indians held a 64-61 lead early in overtime.  Tray Ballenger (Wellford, SC) and Smith scored consecutive baskets to give PC the lead for good at 65-64 with 1:24 left.  Each team traded a free throw before Johann Collins (Raleigh, NC) hit a pair to give PC a 68-65 lead with 9.5 seconds remaining.  Catawba would turn the ball over on the inbounds play and the Blue Hose added another free throw before a last second layin by Phipps.

Catawba trailed by five early in the second half, but used good play from Phipps and freshman Chris Wooldridge (Norfolk, VA) to go on top 52-47 with 6:36 remaining.  The Indians stretched the lead to 58-48 at the 3:51 mark before the PC rally.

Following Drum in the scoring for PC was Dellinger with a dozen points and Collins with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.  Phipps had 16 points to lead Catawba with Magnusson adding 15, Wooldridge 12 and Jolly Manning (Rocky Mount, NC) 10.