Rally Falls Short As Lions Topped By Valley Forge 75-69

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine trailed by as many as 17 points before rallying to take a one-point lead late in the second half, but the Lions were ultimately defeated 75-69 by the University of Valley Forge on Wednesday night.

Valley Forge built a 16-6 lead through six minutes, but Brandywine cut the deficit to just three behind a 9-2 spurt, capped off by back-to-back three-pointers from Shaun Norwood (Media, Pa./Penncrest).

The Patriots answered with 16 of the next 19 points, extending the advantage to 16 points. The Lions trailed by just 12 at the half as Shafi Mohammad (Philadelphia, Pa./Hawbridge School (N.C.)) converted a three-point play with 49 seconds remaining before the break.

Brandywine made its run early in the second half, reeling off seven-straight points in 37 seconds on two Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) buckets followed by a triple from Pat Gallagher (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown). Two minutes later, Spencer converted a three-point play and Isaiah Wilmore (Philadelphia, Pa./Ben Franklin) and Edward Sanchez (Allentown, Pa./Salisbury) each added baskets to cut the deficit to just two points.

The Patriots' lead grew back to 10, but a 13-2 surge by the Lions, fueled by seven points from Marcus Turner (Claymont, Del./Chichester) helped give Brandywine its first lead. Turner knocked down four consecutive free throws, the last of which handed the Lions a 67-66 edge with 2:49 to play.

After Emanuel Toms responded with a jumper for Valley Forge, Sanchez answered with a driving layup as the Lions reclaimed the lead; however, a jumper from Toms followed by a pair of baskets from Austin Lobo gave the visitors a five-point edge and Brandywine would be held off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Brandywine shot 51 percent from the field, including 65 percent marksmanship during the final 20 minutes and forced 21 Patriot turnovers. Valley Forge was limited to 43 percent shooting, but pulled down 22 offensive rebounds, leading to 26 second-chance points.

Mohammad made 6-of-8 shots and led the way for Brandywine with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Norwood drilled four triples en route to a 14-point effort. Spencer scored all 10 of his points in the second half and Gallagher registered a game-best five assists along with seven points.

Brandywine (4-14) returns to conference play Friday with an 8:00 pm home tip-off against Penn State Fayette.