EDINBORO, Pa. (Nov. 11, 2013) – The
Pat Cleary Era opened up successfully on Monday night, as the Edinboro men's basketball team debuted in 2013-14 with a 66-48 win over Thiel at McComb Fieldhouse. Cleary replaced Greg Walcavich, who retired at the end of the 2012-13 campaign. The contest counted as an exhibition game for the Division III Tomcats.
With his mother and other relatives cheering the Fighting Scots on from behind the bench, along with Walcavich watching in the stands, Cleary's team jumped out to a 17-2 lead after less than nine minutes into the game. All told, Thiel would make just one of its first 14 shots from the floor, along with committing seven turnovers. The lead would grow to 22 points late in the first half before Edinboro settled for a 37-17 lead at the half.
Both teams endured a subpar shooting half, as Edinboro came in at 32.4 percent (11 of 34) and Thiel just 25.0 percent (6 of 24). However, the Fighting Scots made 7 of 12 3-pointers and were 8 of 12 from the line. The Tomcats made just 3 of 14 free throws and were guilty of 13 turnovers.
The lead grew to as much as 26 points at 47-21 early in the second half, but after that the play became sloppy. Edinboro would have a stretch of almost six minutes without a point, as the lead shrunk from 55-31 with 9:01 to play to 55-37 at the 4:42 mark.
Alex Moore's jumper with 3:02 to play ended the drought.
Three players scored in double figures for the Fighting Scots, with
Bryan Theriot contributing 12 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes, and
Jonny Marsh adding 12 points in his first game as a Fighting Scot.
Henri Wade-Chatman, who joins Marsh as a newcomer in the backcourt, had 11 points.
Xavier Churnac pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds.
Khari Bess led Thiel with 13 points, while Josh Johnson was also in double figures with 10 markers.
Edinboro ended the night shooting 36.2 percent from the floor (21 of 58), while holding Thiel to 26.8 percent (15 of 56). The Fighting Scots held a 51-41 advantage on the glass. Both teams were guilty of 23 turnovers, with Edinboro losing the ball 13 times in the second half.
The Fighting Scots are back in action on Friday, November 15 hosting Penn State Greater Allegheny. That contest is scheduled for a 4 p.m. tip off.
