SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2007) –Aaron Ritschard hit a jumper with three seconds remaining as the Edgewood College men’s basketball team snuck past Baruch (N.Y.) 62-61 in the consolation game of the Tom Byron Classic hosted by Westmont College. The Bearcats played with a lead the majority of the game, leading by as many as 13 points. Eagle Chris DeMarco scored 21 points to lead all scorers while teammate Charlie Averkamp had a double-double.

Baruch went on an 11-1 run late in the first half and built up a game high 13 point lead, before going into the half with a comfortable 40-32 cushion. With 9:21 remaining in the second half, Edgewood College went on an 8-0 run giving the Eagles a slim one point, 56-55 lead. The Bearcats and the Eagles would battle the rest of the game, neither team leading by more than three points the rest of the game. Sean Loftus converted a lay-up with 1:39 remaining to give the Bearcats the 61-60 edge. Both teams would trade missed jumpers before Aaron Ritschard hit the game winning shot with three seconds left.

Averkamp scored 14 points with 13 rebounds, recording his fourth double-double of the season, while Jon Ciche was a defensive force, grabbing 10 boards with three blocks. It was the seventh straight game that DeMarco scored in double figures and the second straight game that he scored over twenty points for the Eagles. Tammer Farid came off the bench for the Bearcats to lead the team in scoring with 14.

The win improves the Eagles record to 4-6 overall, as they finish off their California trip with an even 1-1 record. Baruch heads back to New York having gone 0-2 at the Tom Byron Classic dropping their record to 4-7. The Eagles have the rest of the week off, returning to the hardwood on Januray 7 as they take on Crown College (Minn.) in a non-conference game at the Edgedome. Game time is 6:30 p.m. and livestats and audio will be available on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.