BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's basketball team opened the 2021 season Saturday night by dropping a 92-87 decision at longtime rival Geneva in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at Metheny Field House. Saturday's clash featured 16 ties and dozen lead changes throughout the game.

Redshirt freshman forward Luca Robinson (Castaic, Calif./Hart) paced Grove City with 14 points in his collegiate debut. Two teammates joined Robinson in double figures as senior guard Justice Rice (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) pumped in 13 points and junior guard Isaac Thrasher (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) added 11 points, including three three-point goals. 

Twelve men scored for the Wolverines in their balanced attack. Senior guard Erik Meiners (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) posted nine points while senior forward Joe Meola (Painesville, Ohio/Lake Catholic), senior forward Chris McKrell (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) and sophomore forward Elijah White (Zelienople, Pa./Portersville Christian) all contributed eight points each. 

Geneva led 37-35 at halftime and quickly opened up a seven-point margin. Grove City countered with an 8-0 run in a 96-second span, though, as Robinson's two foul shots put Grove City ahead 45-44 with 17 minutes remaining. 

A Rice jumper tied the game at 78 with 4:30 left in regulation but Geneva reclaimed the lead for good on Lyle Tipton's layup.

Grove City shot 30 of 60 (50 percent) from the field, including a 21-of-35 (60 percent) effort in the second half. Geneva converted 33 of its 69 field goal attempts (48 percent). Grove City owned a 41-32 edge in rebounds. White led Grove City with eight rebounds while junior guard Ben Rose (Helena, Ala./Helena) collected seven rebounds. 

Rose also had a team-leading four assists and sophomore forward Aaron Good (Wapakoneta, Ohio/Wapakoneta) had three assists in his Grove City debut. Meiners registered three steals. 

Tipton led Geneva (3-1) with 26 points. 

Grove City will visit Saint Vincent in conference action Monday at 7 p.m. in Latrobe, Pa.