LYCOMING MEN’S BASKETBALL DOWNED BY IUP

INDIANA, PA – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team played their first game of the new year on the road at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Thursday evening. The Warriors fought back from a first-half deficit to build a seven-point lead in the second period, but in the end the Indians, a Division II final-four team a year ago, proved too much for the visiting club, winning 77-66. Lycoming falls to 4-4 overall with their third consecutive loss. IUP improves to 8-2 on the season.

The Indians took the initiative early and looked to be in control of the game with a 26-15 lead midway through the opening period. The Warriors, however, had not planned on traveling three plus hours just to roll over, so they fought back to within two points by the half; at 34-32.

Lycoming kept the momentum to open the second half by pounding the ball inside to Matt Stackhouse (Jr./Hughesville, PA; Hughesville) and L.J. Huggler (Jr./St. Marys, PA; St. Marys). The duo combined for 13 points in the first five minutes of the half while IUP was limited to just four points giving the Warriors a 45-38 lead.

Lycoming maintained their seven-point advantage until the 13-minute mark when the Indians came roaring back with a 17-2 run over the next five minutes that gave them a 59-51 lead. The Warriors would close within two once more but could get no closer as IUP pulled away in the final minutes for an 11-point victory.

Freshman Jonathan Pribble (Woolrich, PA; Central Mountain) was Lycoming’s leading scorer with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. Stackhouse and Huggler each tallied 16 points for the Warriors. Stackhouse also led the team with 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Patrick Baylor (Fr./Broomall, PA; Cardinal O’Hara) came off the bench to tally seven points and seven boards for the Warriors.

Lycoming is in action again on Saturday, January 4, when they play host to Marymount University of Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. J.J. Jumper the official mascot of NCAA basketball will be making an appearance during the game.