LYCOMING MEN’S BASKETBALL STUNS DESALES IN COMEBACK VICTORY

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team hosted DeSales University, ranked 17^th in the nation according to D3hoops.com, for a pivotal Freedom Conference showdown, Wednesday evening. The Warriors overcame a 17-point, second-half deficit to upset the Bulldogs by a score of 71-64 and grab a share of first place in the conference. Lycoming improves to 13-4 overall and 5-1 within the league with their fifth consecutive victory. DeSales falls to 14-2 and 5-1, while having their 13-game winning streak come to an end.

After swapping the lead four times in the opening minutes of the contest, the Bulldogs made the first attempt to pull away using a 12-0 run midway through the period to open up a 24-15 lead. Their advantage would swell to as many as 12 before a pair of Warrior buckets just before the intermission made the score 35-27 DeSales at the half. The Bulldogs shot 48% from the field and 46% from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes, and forced Lycoming to turn the ball over nine times.

In the early part of the second half, DeSales continued their hot shooting, connecting on their first three triples of the period to extend their lead to 54-37 with 12:44 to play. The Warriors, however, were not ready to call it a night as they began chipping away at the deficit. A 10-0 run over the next three minutes pulled Lycoming within seven and ignited the home crowd.

The Bulldogs weathered the storm temporarily and maintained a 58-49 lead with 7:10 to play. But a three-pointer by Curtis Mays (So./Philadelphia, Pa.; University City) and three consecutive lay-ups by L.J. Huggler (Sr./St. Mary’s, Pa.; St. Mary’s) sparked another 10-0 run that gave the Warriors their first lead since the 12:23 mark of the first half.

With five minutes to play and a slim 59-58 lead, Lycoming’s defense took over, limiting DeSales to just six points the rest of the game. Key steals by Shaun Morris (Jr./Camp Hill, Pa.; Trinity) and Mays in the final minute sealed the come-from-behind victory for the Warriors.

Huggler led all players with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Morris added 16 markers and a game-high six assists. Jonathan Pribble (So./Woolrich, Pa.; Central Mountain) contributed 11 points and Mays chipped in seven points. Lycoming out-rebounded the Bulldogs 38-26 in the game.

DeSales was led by Kyle Koch with 19 points and Jim Zinn with 12 points. Harry Morra came off the bench to score 10 points and grab six rebounds. Michael Venafra added seven markers and team-highs in assists with four and steals with three.

Lycoming will play again on Saturday, January 31, when they travel to Drew University for another Freedom Conference contest. DeSales also will play on Saturday, traveling to Wilkes University.