Strong first half lifts Muskies past Grove City

The Muskingum men's basketball team used a 41-24 halftime lead to topple Grove City, 80-74, and advance to the championship game of the McDonald's Tournament.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (8-2 overall), Grove City (4-5 overall)
• Location: Bluffton, Ohio - Sommer Center

First Half

• The Muskies pushed the tempo early using a 16-0 run led by sophomore Jarrell Marsh to take the 28-10 lead with 7:14 to play.
• Muskingum continued its hot shooting late into the period as junior Logan Chuppa connected for his third three-pointer of the half en route to the Muskie 41-24 halftime advantage.
• As a team, Muskingum shot 17-for-33 (.515) from the field and 6-for-16 (.375) from behind the arc. 
• Marsh led the Muskies with 15 points and five rebounds, while Chuppa added nine points.
• Cory Huff led the way for Grove City in the first half with a team-high nine points.
• The Warriors shot 10-for-30 (.333) from the field and 3-for-3 (1.00) from the free throw line.

Second Half

• Grove City was able to cut the deficit to 56-50 with 11:51 to play following a series of Muskie turnovers.
• With 8:42 remaining, sophomore Devon Peart was able to complete the steal and score to push the Muskingum lead to 59-52.
• Senior Rickey Wilson connected from three-point land with 7:15 to play to extend the Muskingum lead once more to 64-57.
• The Warriors continued to claw their way back as Huff knocked down a pair of free throws pulling Grove City within 64-61.
• With :20 seconds remaining, Marsh connected from behind the arc to seal the 80-74 victory.
• Muskingum shot 11-for-27 (.407) from the field and 11-for-13 (.846) from the free throw line.
• The Warriors out scored the Muskies 50-39 in the second half on 17-of-33 (.515) shooting from the field.

Post Game

• Marsh led the way for the Muskies with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds.
• Wilson added 14 points, while senior Joshua Keyes pulled down seven rebounds.
• As a team, Muskingum shot 28-for-60 (.467) from the field and 12-for-26 (.462) from three-point land.
• The Warriors were led by Huff with 20 points, including 8-for-8 (1.00) from the free throw line.
• Zane Laws added 14 points for Grove City, while Nate Peters chipped in 10 points.
• Grove City finished the contest 27-for-62 (.435) from the field and 17-for-20 (.850) from the free throw line.

Up Next

• Muskingum returns to action Saturday, December 31 at 2:00 PM in the championship game of the McDonald's Tournament. The Muskies will face the winner of Bluffton and Ohio Midwestern.