Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Kenneth St. George scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds as host West Chester defeated visiting East Stroudsburg, 60-55, Saturday afternoon in each team’s regular-season finale.
The Golden Rams (18-9, 9-5 PSAC East) clinched the No. 3 seed in the upcoming PSAC postseason tournament. East Stroudsburg (16-11, 7-7) was knocked out of the playoffs by virtue of Mansfield University’s, 78-74, victory over Millersville Saturday.
West Chester will travel to arch-rival Cheyney on Tuesday for the 2009 PSAC Men’s Basketball Quarterfinal at 7 p.m. inside Cope Hall. It will be the Rams’ first playoff appearance in two years.
St. George scored his 1,000th career point, draining a pair of free throws with 8:41 remaining in the game. He becomes the 21st person in school history to reach that milestone. He reached that mark on Saturday thanks to a 14-for-16 performance at the foul line.
West Chester got off to a fast start, opening up a 12-2 lead nine minutes into the tilt. East Stroudsburg fought back, and eventually narrowed the gap to seven at the half (28-21).
While it was a hard-fought contest throughout, the Rams made the shots when they mattered most to get the decisive victory. Only leading by two with 1:31 to go, Ralph Hegamin (9 points, 11 rebounds) hit a 3-pointer to put the Rams up, 54-49.
The Warriors answered with a layup from Mike Tobin. But, Kehinde Roberts extended the hosts’ lead to four, nailing a pair of free throws. West Chester converted all five of its final foul shots to keep ESU at bay. That combined effort from Roberts and Isaiah McGhee salvaged an otherwise dismal performance from the charity stripe.
Chris Bach led the way for the Warriors with 14 points, 21 rebounds and two blocked shots. The 21 rebounds marked a career-high for the senior, who played his final college basketball game, and were the most by any East Stroudsburg player in more than 20 years.
East Stroudsburg shot just 20 percent from the floor in the first half and 30 percent for the game (15 of 50). The Warriors turned the ball over 29 times and committed 32 fouls, sending West Chester to the line 42 times in the game.
