Vaughn Outlasts Brandywine For 81-76 Victory

MEDIA, Pennsylvania -- After trailing by nine points at halftime, Penn State rallied to take the lead midway through the second half, but a decisive 14-0 run by Vaughn allowed the Warriors to escape with an 81-76 victory on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions (4-9) got off to a slow start, allowing Vaughn to build a 21-9 lead following Michael Pena's three-pointer at the 12:26 mark. Brandywine steadily chipped away, closing within two after Emanuel Folkes (Philadelphia, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) sank a pair of free throws, but the Warriors outscored the Lions 16-9 over the final 5:19 of the half and led 46-37 after 20 minutes.

Anthony Costa (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) got the Lions' rally started by opening the second half with a triple and Kenneth Murphy (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington Carver) followed 48 seconds later with another three ball to bring Brandywine within four.

Marcus Turner (Claymont, Del./Chichester) knotted the score at 49-49 with a layup and Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) sank a layup during the Lions' next possession to give Brandywine its first lead.

Murphy's jumper extended Brandywine's edge to three at the 7:59 mark; however, the Warriors held the Lions scoreless over the next 4:17, scoring 14-straight points to build an 11-point advantage.

Vaughn continued to lead by double figures with just over one minute to play in regulation, but Murphy drained three-straight free throws and, after a Warrior turnover, Turner buried a triple to draw the Lions within four; however, that is as close as Brandywine would get in the final seconds.

Murphy came up two assists shy of a triple-double after producing 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, along with three steals. Turner and Spencer tied for the team lead with 19 points and Spencer also pulled down nine boards.

Pena posted 27 points to lead all scorers. The Warriors held a 59-40 edge on the boards and both teams shot 37 percent from the field. Brandywine struggled from the free throw line, connecting on just 22-of-38 attempts.

Brandywine opens a four-game road swing Friday at Penn State DuBois at 8:00 pm.