WARRIOR MEN’S BASKETBALL SHOWS CHARACTER IN COMEBACK VICTORY AT FDU-FLORHAM

MADISON, N.J. – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team traveled to Madison, New Jersey, Saturday afternoon, for a critical Freedom Conference tilt versus FDU-Florham. The Warriors were forced to play the majority of the game without two of their star players, but three veterans stepped up to the challenge and came from behind to defeat the Devils, 76-70. The victory ups Lycoming’s record to 16-7 overall and 7-5 within the conference. FDU falls to 9-14 and 3-9.

Three minutes into the game, Warrior point guard Brad Musser (Jr./Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg) suffered and injury that sidelined him for the game. Thirteen minutes into the game junior Jonathan Pribble (Woolrich, Pa.; Central Mountain) picked up his third foul and sat the rest of the half.

Despite these two setbacks, Jeremiah Edison (Sr./Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg) kept Lycoming in the game with 11 first half points. The Warriors also grabbed eight offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes and trailed just 32-35 at the intermission.

Midway through the second half, with the Devils leading 58-53 Pribble picked up his fourth foul on an attempted block and his fifth arguing the call. The resulting free throws gave FDU a 62-53 advantage with 10:12 to play in the game. Lycoming, however, refused fold.

A 6-0 run by brothers Shaun and Kevin Morris (Camp Hill, Pa.; Trinity) pulled the Warriors back within three at 62-59. After three points for the Devils, five straight points by Patrick Baylor (Jr./Broomall, Pa.; Cardinal O’Hara) pulled Lycoming within one at 65-64. After another bucket by FDU, seven points from Edison and Baylor gave the Warriors their first lead of the second half at 71-67.

The Devils would pull within one with a three-point field goal, but would get no closer as Shaun Morris made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 20 seconds to ice the game.

Edison ended the game as Lycoming’s leading scorer with 22 points to go along with seven rebounds. The 22 points equaled his career high. Baylor added a career-high 17, including three three-pointers. Shaun Morris also scored 17 while handing out five assists. Kevin Morris tallied 10 points and nine rebounds. Nick Myers (Sr./Shamokin, Pa.; Shamokin) provided valuable minutes off the bench and  led the squad with 10 rebounds.

FDU was led by Chris Hendershot with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Jeff Hemschoot added 11 points and Frank Emslie contributed 10 markers.

The Warriors will play again on Tuesday, February 15, when they host Wilkes University for another important Freedom Conference contest. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. in  Lamade Gymnasium.