Carter’s Buzzer-Beater Gives W&J First PAC Victory
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson College freshman guard Andy Carter (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) knocked down a 13-foot, baseline jumper as time expired to lift Washington & Jefferson past Westminster 65-63 in PAC men’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Henry Memorial Center.
The dramatic ending marked the fourth time in the past five games that the final shot decided the winner for the Presidents, two of which W&J has won. Junior guard Zach Bellhy (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) had the buzzer beater for the Presidents (4-5, 1-2 PAC) two weeks ago at Notre Dame (Ohio).
Carter scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half, including eight in the final 4:54.
Westminster (2-6, 1-3 PAC) led for a majority of the first half, stretching its advantage to 10 points (29-19) at the 2:04 mark after a pair of free throws from Ben Donlow. W&J closed to within 29-27, but Doug Smith’s triple shortly before the horn gave the visitors a 32-27 halftime lead.
The Titans held onto their lead for the first 16 minutes of the second half until the Presidents strung together a 12-2 run to claim a 59-58 lead with 4:17 remaining.
Washington & Jefferson went ahead 63-60 with 1:38 left after a fast break lay-up by senior forward Zach Zelinsky (East Liverpool, Ohio/Beaver Local), but Smith answered with a triple 14 seconds later.
Both teams missed three-point attempts and W&J grabbed a defensive rebound with five seconds left. After setting up the ball further along the sideline following a timeout with 2.5 seconds remaining, freshman guard Mike Resnik (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) fired a long pass which Carter caught with one hand, spun and knocked down the game winner.
Carter made 6-of-10 shots from the floor and 7-of-9 free throws, while adding seven rebounds. Bellhy added 16 points and five rebounds, while senior guard Uchenna Okocha (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/University School) posted eight points, eight rebounds and two steals.
W&J shot 44 percent overall (24-of-54), including 56 percent (14-of-25) in the second half. The Presidents also used a 41-33 rebounding advantage and limited the Titans to 38 percent shooting (24-of-63).
Adam Carswell paced Westminster with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three assists.
W&J returns to action on Dec. 18 at home versus Hiram for a non-conference game.
