PITTSBURGH, PA –La Roche men's basketball dropped an 80-70 game to Westminster in AMCC vs PAC action on Wednesday night. Westminster improves to 7-1 while the Redhawks fall to 4-3.

La Roche caught fire running out to a 24-8 run. Zach Gould got things going with a three and Trell Thomas and Arnes Bajgora joined him from deep for a 9-2 lead.

Thomas then found Bajgora cutting to the net for their eleventh point and a Bajgora putback made it 13-2. Westminster hit a pair of jump shots but a Bajgora three and two straight RayQuan Phifer threes put the Redhawks ahead by sixteen.

The Redhawks started to cool halfway through the first half and Westminster started to chip away at the lead. A majority of the Titan's points came within five feet of the hoop and they recovered to take a 37-36 halftime lead.

Bajgora led the Redhawks with 10 points and 7 rebounds at intermission.

La Roche jumped ahead early in the second half on layups by Bajgora and Thomas. Westminster however scored the next eleven points and opened up a 50-42 lead.

The Titans upped the lead to fifteen with 11:30 remaining but La Roche fought their way back. The Redhawks used a 12-2 run to get within five with 7:10 left to play. Austin Hannes sparked the run with a midrange jumper and Hannes and Zach Gould drained threes.

Teams traded baskets working between a five and seven point Westminster advantage until a Phifer three pointer made it a one possession game with 3:10 on the clock.

The Titans answered with a three pointer. Westminster was nearly perfect from the foul line and hung on for the victory.

Phifer led La Roche with 17 points and 7 assists. Bajgora finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds and Thomas reached double-figures with 10 points.

The Redhawks return to AMCC Conference play on Saturday when they host Hilbert. Game is a 2pm tip.