Brandywine Picks Up First Victory, 90-83, At Abington

ABINGTON, Pa. -- Rob Tindley (Lawnside, N.J./Haddon Heights) scored 21 of his 26 points during the first half as the Penn State Brandywine men's basketball team was victorious for the first time this season, topping Penn State Abington 90-83 on Tuesday night.

The victory gave Head Coach Ben Kay his first coaching triumph. Kay took over the Brandywine men's coaching staff this season following a successful two-year run as an assistant coach at West Chester University.

Tindley netted his 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field, including 4-of-9 marksmanship from beyond the arc. Tindley keyed the Brandywine reserves, who accounted for 64 of the Lions' 90 points. Donte Winfield (Philadelphia, Pa./Simon Gratz) posted 16 points off the bench, while Isiah Cook (Reading, Pa./Reading) added 11 points.

James Fisher (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) was the lone starter to reach double-figure scoring, netting 10 points, along with five rebounds and three steals.

Brandywine found itself in a 14-2 hole through the game's first eight minutes, but used a 13-4 spurt capped by Winfield's triple to get within four and then tied the score on a Tindley layup at the 6:59 mark.

Cook's free throw 1:43 later pushed Brandywine into the lead for the first time. The free throw was part of a 14-2 run that surged the Lions in front 39-31.

Abington closed within six, but two more free throws from Cook and a Winfield bucket sent Brandywine into the half leading 46-36.

Early in the second half, Abington buried back-to-back three pointers, reducing the deficit to four; however, Fisher countered with a triple for Brandywine. The Lions' lead reached double figures again following another Fisher trifecta with 13:20 to play.

After seeing its lead swell to 14 points at 65-51, Brandywine withstood a rally from Abington as the hosts rattled off seven-straight points in a span of 2:46.

Tindley ended the drought for Brandywine by burying his fourth three of the night with just over six minutes to play. Three minutes later, Cook knocked down three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to give the Lions their biggest lead of the night at 79-64.

Abington would not get closer than five points the rest of the way. Winfield helped secure the victory by sinking 11 free throws during the final 1:51.

Brandywine connected on 12 three-pointers and pulled in 16 offensive rebounds. Ameer Staggs (Ridley, Pa./Ridley) topped the team in rebounding with seven, while Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) grabbed six rebounds. In addition to his 26 points, Tindley collected four assists and three boards.

Devin Hill made all eight of his free throw attempts and topped Abington with 20 points. As a team, Abington made 46 trips to the free throw line, knocking down 36.

Brandywine (1-2) is on the road again Sunday afternoon with a 3:00 pm matchup at the University of Valley Forge.