Brandywine Rolls Past Hazleton To End Skid

MEDIA, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine ran out to a 20-point halftime lead and ended an eight-game losing streak by downing Penn State Hazleton 73-59 on Friday night.

Brandywine led 9-8 through five minutes and extended its edge to 14, using a 13-0 run spurred by three-pointers from Marcus Turner (Wilmington, Del./Chichester), Isaiah Lester (Morton, Pa./Ridley) and Anthony Costa (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley).

The Lions lead ballooned as large as 23 during the first half following a layup from Naifes Smalls (Philadelphia, Pa./PE&T Charter) and Brandywine owned a 41-21 lead after 20 minutes.

Brandywine continued to pour it on as Turner canned a triple to push the lead to 25 and Chris Abbonizio (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) capped a 6-0 spurt with a layup to give the Lions their biggest lead at 57-30.

Hazleton used a 16-3 run to dip into Brandywine's advantage, but the Lions would not allow it to sink below 12 the rest of the way to earn the win.

Turner posted 14 points, leading three Lions in double figure scoring after knocking down three triples. Terrance Quinn (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) added 11 points and seven boards, while Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) tallied 10 points and six boards and Smalls registered nine points, five assists and three steals.

Kenneth Murphy (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington Carver) pulled down nine rebounds and handed out four assists. Brandywine connected on 44 percent of its shots from the field and held a 42-38 edge on the boards.

Jordan Singletary recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead Hazleton, which shot just 32 percent and committed 23 turnovers.

Brandywine (5-13, 4-5 PSUAC) is back in action Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm against Penn State York.