LYCOMING MEN’S BASKETBALL HAS COMEBACK ATTEMPT FALL SHORT

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team hosted Susquehanna University, Sunday evening, for a non-conference contest. Both squads entered the game riding winning streaks, but only the Crusaders still have one as the visitors defeated the Warriors 77-69. Lycoming falls to 8-3 with the setback, while Susquehanna improves to 10-2.

It was all Crusaders in the first half as they shot nearly 60% from the field and made 5-of-9 three-pointers to open up a 15-point advantage by the intermission.

The Warriors responded by turning up the defensive pressure in the second half. A three-pointer by Shaun Morris (Jr./Camp Hill, Pa.; Trinity) on their first possession seemed to be the necessary spark as Lycoming outscored Susquehanna 16-4 over the next five minutes to pull within three.

The Crusaders regained their composure and nursed their lead back to 12 with 11 minutes to play. The Warriors, however, kept fighting back and pulled within two with 6:39 showing on the clock. Susquehanna’s Dan Rathmell connected for a triple and a jumper on consecutive possessions to put the Crusaders back in charge at 69-62.

Morris answered with a three-pointer of his own and free throws by Curtis Mays (So./Philadelphia, Pa.; University City) and Jonathan Pribble (So./Woolrich, Pa.; Central Mountain) cut the deficit back to one at 69-68 with 3:16 to play. But Susquehanna gave up just one free throw the rest of the way while adding eight points of their own to secure the victory.

Morris was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, including four three-pointers. He also recorded four assists in the contest. L.J. Huggler (Sr./St. Mary’s, Pa.; St. Mary’s) added 15 points from the post position and Pribble contributed 13 markers and a game-high 11 rebounds. Brad Musser (So./Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg) led the team with five assists.

Rathmell was the Crusaders’ leading scorer with 18 points. Bubba Mills added 15 points and eight rebounds, Phil Sander chipped in 13 points, and Chris Zimmerman tallied 10 points and three assists.

The Warriors are on the road for their next contest, traveling to King’s College for a Freedom Conference match-up. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.