HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team couldn't quite keep pace as they ultimately fell to Rowan, 98-83, in the 29th Doc Greene Tournament championship game, Thursday evening inside Memorial Gymnasium.
Rowan's press turned the next few minutes into a back-and-forth contest, but it was advantage Juniata early. Chase Husted (DuBois, Pa. / DuBois Area HS) started things off strong for JC with an and-one at the rim, converting the free throw to make it 3-0. Nick Rigby (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon H.S.) scored inside on a layup, Kohl Bernarding (Cochranton, Pa. / Cochranton H.S.) dished it to Husted for a bucket, Evan Eisenhart (York, Pa. / Central York H.S.)found Rigby cutting to the hoop for a lefty layup, Husted hit Bernarding who splashed an elbow jumper, and Kyle Ruggery (Duncansville, PA / Bishop Guilfoyle HS) found Eisenhart for a three from the right side to make it 14-6.
The Profs managed to pull ahead via a 6-0 run to make it 18-14 before a Tyler Lapetina (Collegeville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley HS) layup from the right baseline.
A Lapetina short runner in the lane cut the deficit to two, and on the defensive end, great hustle by Bernarding resulted in a steal as he tipped the ball away and vaulted into the stands to keep it in play. Michael Montecalvo (Altoona, Pa. / Bishop Guilfoyle HS) drilled a three from the left wing to give the Eagles the lead back at 21-20 with 11:28 to go in the half.
The teams were back and forth the rest of the half, with the Eagles recapturing the lead on a pair of Rigby free throws.
Rigby had an explosive first half for the Eagle as he poured in 16 points. Juniata was very efficient from the field as they shot 51.5% from the floor.
It was a cagey start to the second half as Rowan retook the lead, and Juniata kept it close through the opening five minutes. Gabe Guidinger (York, Pa. / Central York HS) scored on a layup off a pass from Bernarding to cut the deficit to four with 14 minutes to play. The Profs scored on a strong drive to the hoop, and JC countered with a Ross Conway (Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic HS) baseline jumper.
Rowan scored the next five points to make it 61-50 with a Husted layup off a feed from Montecalvo. The visitors scored on another layup before Montecalvo drilled a triple and, on the next offensive possession, hit Rigby for a layup to bring JC within six with ten and half minutes to play.
Juniata hung around, keeping the margin with six for the next few minutes, but the Profs eventually pulled away.
It was a hectic game that featured 19 lead changes and five ties. Rowan narrowly outrebounded JC 36-34, and the visitors did damage off Eagle turnovers to the tune of 29 points. Juniata managed to return the favor as they scored 17 points of Prof turnovers.
Rigby and Husted were named to the Doc Greene All-Tournament Team for JC, with Rigby pouring in a career-high 26 in the championship. Montecalvo had an impressive tournament shooting the ball, as he went 8-10 from three across the two games.
Juniata will return to action at home this Tuesday against Penn College. The tipoff is at 7:00.
