WARRIOR MEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS FIRST CONFERENCE LOSS

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team traveled to King’s College, Wednesday evening, for a rematch of last season’s Freedom Conference championship game. For the second consecutive game, the Warriors fought back from a double-digit deficit but came up just short, falling to the Monarchs 87-81. Lycoming drops to 9-7 overall and 4-1 within the conference. King’s improves to 10-5 and 3-1.

The Warriors took the early initiative building a seven-point lead midway through the first half. The Monarchs, however, responded with a 10-2 run to regain the lead, eventually stretching it to 33-31 at the half.

King’s dominated the first six minutes of the second period, outscoring Lycoming 19-6 to take a commanding 52-37 lead with 14 minutes to play. The Warriors tried to chip away at the deficit, but the Monarchs were again able to answer, stretching their advantage to 19 with eight minutes to play.

This time, however, it was Lycoming’s turn to answer. Sparked by Brad Musser (Fr./Mifflinburg, PA; Mifflinburg) at the offensive end and Matt Stackhouse (Jr./Hughesville, PA; Hughesville) at the defensive end, the Warriors whittled King’s lead down to three with 2:37 remaining on the clock. But they could get no closer as the Monarchs made 6-of-7 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Stackhouse was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points to go with a game-high 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. Jonathan Pribble (Fr./Woolrich, PA; Central Mountain) scored 18 points, Musser added 12 markers off the bench, and Shaun Morris (So./Camp Hill, PA; Trinity) chipped in 10 points and five assists.

Kings’ was led by Dannie Evans and Marty O’Hora with 19 points each. Kasim Holloman added 18 and Dave Marks contributed 11.

Lycoming will return to action on Saturday, January 25, when they host DeSales University as part of a conference doubleheader. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 8 p.m. – following the women’s contest.