Warriors Rally to Topple Shenandoah
Sye Powers in 24 points

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—The men’s basketball team (6-4) defeated Shenandoah University (3-5) 67-58 on Thursday night in a game that felt like a defining moment in the Warriors’ young season.

After sinking the first basket of the game, Lycoming did not lead again until just 5:37 remained in the contest. A Kevin Morris (Camp Hill, PA) three-pointer put Lycoming up 51-50, a lead which they would not relinquish.

Shenandoah’s athleticism and high-pressure defense seemed to disrupt Lycoming’s flow in the first half. The Warriors came up empty on all ten shots they took from behind the arc and shot barely over 40% for the period. The exception was sophomore Greg Sye (Chantilly, VA), whose 15 first-half points kept Lycoming afloat.

Shenandoah’s Mouktar Fawehinmi led his team with 12 points in the first period. He was one of seven Hornets that scored before halftime, as Shenandoah went in leading 35-29.

Lycoming head coach Don Friday calmed his team down during the break and the Warriors came out much more relaxed in period two. Back-to-back buckets by guards David Wilson (Pottsville, PA) and Anthony Watson (Philadelphia, PA) reduced the Hornets’ lead to two points and suddenly the game had a different feel.

Sye continued to command the paint, while containing Shenandoah’s leading scorer Jeremiah Lawrence. Morris hit a pair of threes and Jemayne Nowlin (Gaithersburg, MD) gave Lycoming valuable minutes, pouring in eight points. After the Warriors captured the lead, they played inspired and fended off Shenandoah’s quick offense repeatedly. Lycoming’s fans and players grew in excitement and intensity through the game’s final minutes. You could practically see Friday’s squad maturing. It was the type of game that breeds confidence and passion, and ideally takes a team to the next level.

The Warriors will have to maintain their focus through the holidays and then on the road. Lycoming travels to the Albright Tournament on January 5-6, followed by away games at Scranton and FDU-Florham. The Warriors return to Lamade Gymnasium on January 15 when they host Carnegie Mellon at 7:00 p.m.