SLIPPERY ROCK — Time, as well as an outstanding season, was running out for Grove City.

Trailing by six points to Meadville in the first round of the District 10 Class AAA boys basketball playoffs Thursday, the Eagles used a pair of 3-pointers late in regulation to force overtime.

Grove City then did their damage at the free throw line, sinking 7 of 8 shots to pull out a 40-39 victory at Slippery Rock University.

"We were down to the last thread,' said Grove City coach Don Fee. "Kyle Perrine hit a huge 3, his only (score) of the game, then Jordan had that big 3 that tied it up and gave us momentum."

"Basically, we played 31 minutes and lost our composure in the last minute," said Bulldogs coach Norm Price. "I thought at one point it was over, but we couldn't close it. It's a perfect lesson."

With Grove City leading 24-18 with the Bulldogs (12-13) went on a 13-1 run to take a 31-25 lead with 2:43 remaining.

A 3-pointer by Mark Geiger just before the third-quarter buzzer got things rolling for Meadville, followed by three baskets by Toney Phillips baskets and two more by Brian McLaughlin.

"We were bigger than they were," said Price. "I think our size bothered them."

"They were blocking every stinking shot we were taking," said Fee. "They had to be in double figures in blocks. (The referees) were letting them play. We had a hard time getting to the free throw line."

Grove City's Ben Liebling missed two free throws with 2:33 left in regulation, but Perrine drained his trey with 1:39 left before Fee did likewise with 34 seconds left to knot the score at 31.

Phillips was fouled with 21.7 seconds left, but missed both free throws and Meadville's Aaron Barton corralled the rebound. While working the ball for the last shot, Geiger was called for charging and the Eagles got the ball with 2.8 seconds left.

Grove City was able to get off a 3-point attempt, but it fell short and the game went to overtime.

After Barton scored with 3:35 left, Liebling answered to tie the game at 33. Joe Mottillo sank a free throw to give the Bulldogs what would be their last lead of the game.

The Eagles' Maxx Stutz sank two free throws with 2:29 left, then Dan Keil added two more for a 37-34 lead.

Barton scored with 1:20 left to make it a one-point game, and the Bulldogs were looking to take the lead, but McLaughlin missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 1:06 left.

The Eagles worked the ball around before Keil was fouled with 31 seconds left. He missed the first free throw but made the second for a two-point lead.

The Bulldogs wanted to tie the game, working the ball inside, but Keil came up with a steal beneath the basket and was fouled with 5.8 seconds left.

His two free throws proved to be important because Mottillo buried a 3-pointer with one second left to close out the scoring.

"(Meadville) played very good defense," said Fee. "I credit our defense as well. I don't know if we've ever shot 23 percent and won.

"It's the adage I tell the kids that defense wins championships. Defense can keep you in there."

Grove City received 10 points apiece from Stutz, Keil and Fee, while the Bulldogs were led by Phillips (13) and Barton (nine).

MEADVILLE 39Mark Geiger 2 0-0 5, Joe Mottillo 1 1-2 4, Aaron Barton 4 1-2 9, Tony Phillips 6 1-4 13, James 0 2-4 2, Brian McLaughlin 3 0-1 6.

Totals: 16 5-13 39.

GROVE CITY 40Maxx Stutz 3 4-6 10, Ben Liebling 2 3-6 7, Dan Keil 2 5-6 10, Jordan Fee 4 0-0 10, Kyle Perrine 1 0-0 3, Keith Donaldson 0 0-0 0, Kent Denbow 0 0-0 0, Ryan McNamara 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 12 12-18 40.

Meadville 7 6 8 10 8—39Grove City 10 5 9 7 9—403-point goals: Geiger, Mottillo; Fee 2, Keil, Perrine

Next: District 10 Class AAA semifinals-Grove City vs. Warren at site, day and time to be determined