Scranton Halts Lions’ Win Streak At Three Games

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Scranton used a decisive 15-1 run late in the second half to end Penn State Brandywine's three-game winning streak and capture a 73-68 PSUAC men's basketball victory on Friday night.

Neither team led by more than six for the first 34 minutes during the tightly-contested game until Brandywine used a 15-4 surge to erase a three-point deficit and grab a 64-56 edge. Naifes Smalls (Philadelphia, Pa./PE&T Charter) spurred the run, producing a steal and three-point play to give the Lions their first lead of the second half and followed with two-straight jumpers. Amir Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Community Academy) netted five of the final six points during the run, including the capper at the 6:16 mark.

Johnson's bucket would be Brandywine's last until the final seconds as the Lions were held without a basket over the next 4:27. Scranton took advantage, scoring  15 of the game's next 16 points to build a six-point lead. After a pair of free throws from Hasiin Dixon made the score 71-65 with 13 seconds to play, Terrance Quinn (Haverford, Pa./Radnor) converted on a three-point play to slice the deficit in half; however, Dixon countered with two more free throws on the other end to ice the game.

The first half featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes as neither team led by more than four points at any time. Johnson's jumper gave Brandywine a two-point cushion at 30-28, but Dixon answered with two buckets and Cullen Fanning's jumper sent Scranton into the half with a 34-30 lead.

Johnson produced his second double-double of the year with a team-best 23 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three steals. Smalls also tallied three steals and scored nine of his 13 points during the second half, while Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) added 11 points and seven boards.

Brandywine shot 36 percent from the field and forced 23 turnovers, but was outrebounded 49-39. Dixon recorded an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double.

Brandywine (4-6, 3-2 PSUAC) will break for finals and the holidays and return to its home court Sunday, January 3 against North Carolina Wesleyan at 1:00 pm.