SHEPHERD RALLY FALLS SHORT

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV -- DeMario Grier's putback with six seconds left in regulation lifted 10th-ranked Pfeiffer to a 97-96 win over Shepherd University in the championship game of the of the Clarion Hotel Tip-Off Tournament. Gannon downed Assumption, 73-62, in the consolation game.

Grier scored a game-high 32 points to lead the Falcons. Rico Grier added 20 points and six assists, while Damien Argett added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Junior forward Danley Shank (Pond Bank, PA/Chambersburg HS), the Tournament MVP, led the Rams with 31 points. Junior guard Chad Myers (Vinton, VA/ Hargarve Military Academy) added 16 points, while senior center Esosa Imoisili (Ellicott City, MD/Henderson State) contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and four blocked shots. Senior guard Ron Rheinhardt (Bowie, MD/Archbishop Carroll HS) was also in double figures with 10 points.

Rheinhardt drained a pair of free throws with 19 remaining to gaive the Rams a 96-95 advantage, but Grier's field goal in the game's final seconds ended Shepherd's upset bid.

Shepherd falls to 1-1, while Pfeiffer improves to 2-1. The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they host Pitt-Greensburg for an 8:00 p.m. contest

Gannon's Matt Jones scored 19 points to pace the Golden Knights in the consolation win. Shelby Chaney added 17, Geoff Husted had 14, while Demondi Johnson added 13. Brian Robinson scored 19 points to lead Assumption. Elijah Bland and Josh Melucci each added 14.

All-Tournament Team

Elijah Bland - Assumption

Matt Jones - Gannon

Rico Grier - Pfeiffer

DeMario Grier - Pfeiffer

Chad Myers - Shepherd

Danley Shank - Shepherd (Tourney MVP)