LYCOMING MEN’S BASKETBALL UPSETS DEFENDING CHAMPION WILKES UNIVERSITY

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team hosted defending Middle Atlantic Freedom Conference champion Wilkes University, Wednesday evening, in their first conference contest of the season. The Warriors overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to outscore the Colonels 48-23 in the second half en route to a 65-48 win. Lycoming improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference. Wilkes fell to 3-3 and 1-1.

The first half was all defense as the Colonels held the Warriors to 26% shooting from the field and carried a 25-17 lead into the locker room. Tom Stambaugh and Brad Sechler supplied the offense for Wilkes, combining for 15 points including a trio of three-pointers.

Lycoming, however, wasted no time getting back into the game early in the second half. The Warriors opened the final period with a 10-2 run, sparked by a pair of three-point field goals by Tommy Wesner (Jr./Dillsburg, PA; Northern), to tie the score at 27-27. The Colonels regained their composure and pulled back in front by as many as six points. But trailing by four with nine minutes to play Lycoming took control of the game, going on a 19-3 run over the next eight minutes to secure the upset victory.

Wesner led all scorers with 17 points – all scored in the second half. He also grabbed six rebounds. Chris Napier (Sr./Port Jervis, NY; Minisink Valley) chipped in 13 points and six boards. Sophomore Matt Stackhouse (Hughesville, PA; Hughesville) recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. He also blocked a pair of shots. Jason Black (Sr./Duncannon, PA; Susquenita) became the fourth Warrior to score in double figures with 10 points and four assists.

Stambaugh led Wilkes in scoring with 11 markers. Dave Plisko added 10 points.

Lycoming will begin a seven-game road trip as they travel to Delaware Valley College on Saturday for another MAC Freedom Conference doubleheader. Their next home game will be on Monday, Jan. 14, versus FDU-Madison.