LYCOMING MEN FALL SHORT IN COMEBACK ATTEMPT

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team faced host Elizabethtown College in the championship game of the Sprint Blue Jay Classic Sunday afternoon. The Warriors found themselves down 20 points at halftime, but battled back to score 62 points in the second half. Unfortunately, it was not enough as the Blue Jays hung on for the 104-96 victory.

Elizabethtown built its early lead by taking advantage of second-shot opportunities created by offensive rebounds. The Blue Jays shot 50% from the field in the first half and took 15 more shots than did Lycoming. For the game, Etown pulled down 22 offensive rebounds to the Warriors’ eight.

Lycoming, however, showed tremendous character in the second half, fighting back to make it a game down the stretch. The Warriors shot 50% from the field in the second half, including 6-of-11 from three-point range. Lycoming also had another strong night at the free-throw line, connecting on 24-of-29 attempts in the second half and 29-of-35 for the game.

“We were in a hole at the half,” said head coach Terry Conrad. “But I’m really proud of the way our guys kept fighting back and fighting back. They pulled us back into the game and we were able to make a run at it.”

Tom Wesner (So./Dillsburg; Northern Senior) led all scorers for the second consecutive game, pouring in 35 points for the game, including nine three-pointers. Chris Napier (Jr./Port Jervis, NY; Minisink Valley) and Matt Stackhouse (Fr./Hughesville; Hughesville) also reached double figures in scoring with 15 and 10 points respectively. Brian Lindsay (Sr./Gettysburg; Gettysburg) led the team’s rebounding efforts with six boards. Jason Black (Jr./Duncannon; Susquenita) added five assists.

Wesner and Napier were each named to the all-tournament team for their performance in the weekend event. Wesner averaged 30 points per game while knocking down 15 triples in two games. He also recorded seven assists. Napier averaged 18.5 points over the two games while tallying eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.

The Warriors drop to 5-6 overall with the loss. Elizabethtown improves to 8-2. Lycoming will return to MAC Freedom Conference competition next Wednesday, Jan. 10, when they travel to Wilkes University for a doubleheader with the women’s teams. Tip-off for the women’s game is scheduled 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 p.m.