Titans erase 14-point deficit to advance to PAC title game

More news about: Westminster (Pa.)

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.--Freshman Lucas Stanley (New Castle, Pa., Union) drilled a three-pointer with four seconds left in regulation to key Westminster's 81-79 victory over Chatham in the semifinal round of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship Tournament Thursday night at Ron Galbreath Court inside Buzz Ridl Gymnasium.

Westminster rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to capture its sixth-straight win and 10th in the last 12 games. The top seed in the PAC's North Division, the Titans improved to 19-8 this season. Chatham, the No. 4 seed in the PAC's South Division and last year's league champion, wrapped up its season with an 18-8 record. 

With the win Westminster advances to Saturday's PAC title game. The Titans will travel to Washington & Jefferson, the top seed in the PAC's South Division, for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff inside the Salvitti Family Gymnasium. The Presidents registered a 75-65 win over Franciscan Thursday. 

Graduate student DJ Harrell (Cleveland, Ohio, East Technical) took over with just under six minutes left and Westminster trailing by nine, 71-60, scoring 15 of the Titans' 20 points down the stretch. His layup with 15 seconds to go trimmed the lead to one, 79-78, and following a steal by senior Trey DePietro (Boardman, Ohio, Boardman), Stanley knocked down the game-winner.

Harrell fired in a game-high 36 points, finishing 12-of-20 from the floor and 3-of-6 from three-point range. He added four rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. It was Harrell's fourth 30-point game this season. Stanley totaled 18 points, hitting four of his seven three-point attempts. He added six boards and a pair of steals. Stanley had hit four or more three-pointers in five games this year. DePietro had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Lovenson Xavier had 34 points and nine rebounds for Chatham. He finished 13-of-21 from the field and went 5-of-7 from three-point range. 

Westminster shot 51.8 percent from the floor (29-56) and hit six of its eight three-pointers in the second half.