SLIPPERY ROCK — The records didn't matter.

Both the Slippery Rock High and Grove City High boys basketball teams have suffered through frustrating and disappointing seasons.

You couldn't tell Tuesday night. The teams played as if a championship was on the line.

Ryan Currie hit a short running jumper with 10 seconds remaining to give Slippery Rock a 54-52 home win over Grove City.

The Rockets came into the game with just one win. The Eagles, too, limped into this contest with just four victories and on a six-game losing streak.

“It softens (the disappointing season) for them,” said Slippery Rock coach Phil Bushre. “This is a big rivalry. I was saying Ohio State-Michigan tonight; Slippery Rock-Grove City earlier. This is a big deal for this 12-mile area. This is something they will remember more than (a tough season).”

Early, it looked as if Grove City was going to run away with a win.

The Eagles led 17-8 just one minute into the second quarter, but both Derek Turner and Danny Torok had to go to the bench in foul trouble.

Slippery Rock (2-16, 2-10) took advantage, closing the lead to 23-22 at the half.

“It just killed us,” said Grove City coach Don Fee. “Derek in foul trouble. Danny in foul trouble. We had both of them on the bench in the first half. We were up (17-8) and we lost all of our momentum.”

Senior guard Bobby Paczkowski had 12 points for the Rockets in the first two quarters and finished with a team-high 15.

But it was Shane Karl who keyed Slippery Rock's effort in the second half, scoring all 12 of his points after halftime.

Karl had eight points in the fourth quarter, as the Rockets took their biggest lead of the game at 47-41 and held off Grove City the rest of the way.

“I'd say the second half of the season, Shane has been doing a lot of the stuff he did tonight,” Bushre said. “Finishing, getting loose balls, doing the little things that you hope someone on the team does.”

Still, Grove City had its chances to win.

Turner hit a layup and was fouled, but missed the free throw to keep the game tied at 52-52.

After Currie's shot put the Rockets ahead, Foster Reznor missed an off-balance layup with five seconds left.

Paczkowski was fouled with one second remaining and stepped to the line for a one-and-one and missed intentionally. Grove City got the rebound, but had no chance to get a shot off.

“That was a heads-up play by Bobby,” Bushre said.

Grove City (4-15, 2-10) was plagued by turnovers and a penchant for settling for 3-point shots.

Of the Eagles' 45 shots, 23 were from behind the arc. Grove City made nine of them.

“We were satisfied with taking a shot from out there instead of penetrating,” Fee said. “When we did penetrate, we had some good looks. We just didn't finish.”

Turner finished with 18 points to lead the Eagles.

For the Rockets, the win over their rival makes them feel a little better about the season.

“Whenever you lose so many close games, you'll take a win any night,” Currie said. “When it comes against a rival, it always feels a little better. We can play that well any night against any team.”

GROVE CITY 52

Spencer Marnich 0-0 0-0 0, Derek Turner 7-14 0-1 18, Danny Torok 3-9 2-2 10, Matt Thrasher 5-11 1-2 13, Foster Reznor 2-9 2-3 7, Jared Graham 0-1 2-2 2, Colby Polkabla 0-0 0-0 0, Jorden Dolan 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 18-45 7-10 52.

SLIPPERY ROCK 54

Kyle Bell 1-1 0-2 2, Reed Elder 1-2 0-0 2, Ryan Currie 3-3 1-2 7, Bobby Paczkowski 4-10 6-9 15, Mike Rummel 0-1 0-0 0, Jake Whitmer 3-8 4-4 10, Ryan Northcott 0-2 1-2 1, Brady Kadlubek 1-1 0-0 3, Dustin Mellott 0-2 0-0 0, Shane Karl 6-9 2-2 14. Totals: 19-39 14-18 54.

Grove City 11 12 14 15—52

Slippery Rock6 16 15 17—54

3-point goals: Grove City 9 (Turner 4, Torok 2, Thrasher 2, Reznor). Slippery Rock 2 (Paczkowski, Kadlubek)

JV: Grove City 42-41

Thursday: Slippery Rock at Oil City; George Junior Republic at Grove City