BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY

A buzzer-beating shot by Aaron Miller lifted the visiting Thomas More Saints to a 67-65 victory over Saint Vincent in a battle for second place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

Both teams came into the game with a 4-2 record in the PAC, and the first half reflected that, as the game remained close throughout the first 20 minutes.  The Bearcats were able to take a 33-31 lead into the break, and held the lead through the first six minutes of the second half as well.

Thomas More took a 43-42 lead with 13:50 left, but a putback by Dillon Stith quickly allowed SVC to regain the lead.  The Saints then scored the game's next six points to take their largest lead, 49-44.  After both teams traded baskets, Saint Vincent then went on a run of its own, started by a one-handed putback by Ryan Nelson that made the score 51-48, Thomas More.

A fast break score by Dennis Bassich made it a one-point game, then Grant Latus gave SVC the lead with a jumper that made the score 52-51.  A pair of Bassich free throws extended the lead to three with 6:25 remaining.

An Armani Fountain free throw with 3:23 left on the clock gave the Bearcats a five-point edge, 59-54, and the lead grew to seven, 65-58, when Mike Burroughs hit a pair of shots from the charity stripe with 1:16 left.  

The Saints' Colt Stafford then scored with 1:03 remaining to cut the gap to five, and SVC failed to convert on two subsequent free throw attempts.  Thomas More then got the ball back, and Miller scored and was fouled with 43 seconds remaining.  After connecting on the free throw, Miller cut the margin to just two, 65-63.

A steal by D'Carlo Hayes set up the game-tying (65-65) score by Willis Fleming with 28.7 ticks left, and SVC was unable to score on its next possession, turning the ball over after a missed shot with 10 seconds left.  The Saints worked the ball downcourt and called time out with 3.1 seconds on the clock, setting up Miller's game-winning score.

Brian Muse of Thomas More led all scorers on the night with 22 points, while Stafford had a game-best 10 rebounds.  Miller added 17 for the Saints (9-8 overall).

Saint Vincent was led by Bassich, who tallied 16 points, and Tauvon Pettiford (13).  Pettiford and Fountain each had five rebounds.  BJ McGill recorded 7 assists for the Bearcats (11-6) 

Up next for the Bearcats will be PAC leader Thiel College.  The game will begin at 6PM in the Carey Center on Saturday evening.