WARRIORS FALL IN SECOND HALF AT SUSQUEHANNA

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team traveled south for a non-conference game at Susquehanna University Saturday afternoon. The Warriors carried a four-point lead into the half but could not hold on as the Crusaders hit eight three-pointers down the stretch to win 91-78.

Although neither team could take complete control, Lycoming led much of the first half behind the shooting of Chris Napier (Jr./Port Jervis, NY; MinisinkValley) and Thomas Wesner (So./Dillsburg; Northern Senior)who combined for seven three-pointers.

In the second half, Susquehanna took charge right out of the locker room, opening the period with an 18-four run. The Warriors closed the gap to two or three on more than one occasion, but every time they got close the Crusaders answered with a three-pointer. Lycoming eventually became frustrated and Susquehanna took advantage, stretching their lead to as many as 17 before the final 13-point win.

“They wanted the win more than we did and it showed,” said Warriors head coach Terry Conrad. “They were more aggressive and scrappy in every aspect of the game and that was the difference. Over the past few weeks, I thought this team had made a few strides forward, but now we’ve taken a few back and seem a bit lost. Fortunately, today was a non-conference game, now we have to regroup and find ourselves for the stretch run in the conference.”

Wesner led all scorers with 32 points on the strength of eight three-point field goals. He also had four steals and a pair of assists. Napier added 20 points, while leading the team in rebounds with seven.

Corey Green led the Crusaders with 27 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, Susquehanna out-rebounded Lycoming 53-37.

The Warriors fall to 10-10 on the season with the loss. Lycoming will return to conference action on Tuesday, February 6, when they host Wilkes University at 8 p.m. The Colonels were the number one ranked team in the nation at the beginning of the week, prior to a 73-70 loss to King’s College.