Atlanta, GA—On Friday afternoon the Geneva men's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Tournament at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, by defeating Manchester (Indiana) University, 71-65. The Golden Tornadoes victory, which is their first away from Metheny Fieldhouse this season, improved their record to 4-5, while Manchester fell to 1-9.
Geneva jumped out to an early 15-4 lead just six minutes into the game as senior Jimmy Leichliter score Geneva's first 11 points on three 3-pointers and two free throws. Geneva continued to extend the lead and took its biggest lead of the game, 25-7, with eight minutes to go in the half. Manchester, however, responded by closing the half on a 23-5 run of its own to even up the game at 30-30 going into the locker room. Junior Eric McGee also had a big half, finishing with 11 points.
Geneva came out of the break playing well, scoring the first eight points of the half to regain the lead, 38-30. Leichliter was key again with two 3-pointers in the first two minutes. Geneva maintained that lead, extending it out to 67-57 with two minutes to go, before Manchester scored six straight points over a 30 second span to cut the lead down to four, 67-63, with 1:28 left. Geneva held on by hitting enough free throws in the final minute to win, 71-65.
"It was a great win for the Golden Tornadoes," Head Coach Jeff Santarsiero said after the game. "We battled through some turnovers but played great defense when we needed to. Eric and Jimmy played great games. It's nice to be playing in the championship game."
Geneva was led by Leichliter's double-double as he finished with a season high 25 points to go with 10 rebounds. Leichliter did most of his damage from deep, shooting 7-11 from 3-point range. McGee had his best game of the season by adding 18 points and 5 assists, while sophomore Ethan Moose chipped in with 17 points on 7-12 shooting. Overall Geneva shot 54% from the field, including 8-15 from 3-point range.
Geneva advances to play in the championship game tomorrow against the home team, Oglethorpe University, who defeated the University of the Ozarks (Arkansas), 96-75, in the other semifinal matchup. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.
