LYCOMING MEN’S BASKETBALL BIT BY BULLDOGS

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team had revenge on their mind, Wednesday evening, when they traveled to DeSales University for a Freedom Conference semifinal game. The Warriors had lost to the Bulldogs just four days earlier in the regular season finale setting the stage for the rematch again at DeSales. History repeated itself as the Bulldogs got off to a fast start and held on for a comfortable 88-73 victory. DeSales improves to 21-5 overall on the season and will face Scranton in the conference championship game, Saturday evening. The Warriors complete the 2003 campaign with a record of 15-11 overall.

The Bulldogs scored the game’s first three field goals to jump out to a 7-0 advantage, but Lycoming hung in there early, closing within three on two occasions during the first 10 minutes. DeSales, however, kept raining in the three-pointers, connecting on 8-of-15 in the first period as they built a 15-point halftime lead. The Warriors struggled with their shooting, hitting just 35% from the field and 23% from behind the arc.

Lycoming found the range in the second half, but the Bulldogs never cooled down. Every time the Warriors would gain some momentum and cut into their lead, DeSales would answer – never allowing Lycoming closer than nine points.

Senior Tommy Wesner (Dillsburg, PA; Northern) led the Warriors with 27 points in his final appearance in a Lycoming uniform. Jonathan Pribble (Fr./Woolrich, PA; Central Mountain) added 20 points – 15 in the second half. Matt Stackhouse (Jr./Hughesville, PA; Hughesville) recorded his 16^th double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bulldogs were led by Michael Venafra with 20 points. David Spadt and Kyle Koch each added 15 markers. Jim Zinn and Joe Teprovich chipped in 10 apiece to give DeSales five players in double figures.