WARRIOR MEN'S BASKETBALL WINS FREEDOM CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP;
EARNS BID TO NCAA PLAYOFFS

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Lycoming College men's basketball team traveled to King's College, Saturday evening, to play for the Middle Atlantic Freedom Conference championship. The Warriors turned a 19-point halftime lead into a eight-point victory and the program's first even conference title. With the championship, Lycoming also receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

The Warriors jumped all over the Monarchs early with a combination of stifling defense and solid shooting from the perimeter. Lycoming led by one before going on a 14-0 run sparked by three-pointers by Jason Black (Sr./Duncannon, PA; Susquenita) and Tommy Wesner (Jr./Dillsburg, PA; Northern) sandwiched around a pair of lay-ups by Matt Stackhouse (So./Hughesville, PA; Hughesville).

The visiting team continued to extend their lead through the remainder of the period, outscoring King's 10-6 over the last seven minutes to carry a 19-point advantage into the half.

In the second half, the Monarchs found a bit of an offensive rhythm and slowly began chipping away at the Warriors' lead. A three-point field goal by Landon Gabriel with 4:34 to play pulled King's within four. However, despite having all the momentum and a home crowd behind them, the Monarchs would get no closer.

Black and Chris Napier (Sr./Port Jervis, NY; Minisink Valley) hit back-to-back jumpers to increase Lycoming's lead to eight with just over two minutes to play. King's then forced the Warriors to win the game from the free-throw line by fouling to stop the clock. Lycoming proved up to the task, successfully hitting 12-of-16 charity shots in the final 1:37.

Black led all scorers with 27 points, including five triples. He also added a team-high eight rebounds. Stackhouse controlled the paint for the Warriors with 13 points and five boards. Wesner and Curtis Mays (Fr./Philadelphia, PA; University City) each chipped in 10 points apiece.

The win gives Lycoming their first-ever MAC Freedom Conference championship. The trip to the NCAA playoffs will be the third time the Warriors have competed in the tournament. The selection of the entire 48-team national playoff field will take place Sunday evening at 9 p.m. The first round of the playoffs will begin Thursday, February 28. Lycoming improves to 19-7 overall with the victory.