Lions Drop Overtime Heartbreaker To Hazleton

HAZLETON, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine dropped its Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball opener in heartbreaking fashion as the Lions were defeated 76-75 in overtime at Penn State Hazleton on Tuesday night.

Andy Kwiatkowski buried the game-winning three-pointer with one second left in overtime to give the hosts the victory.

Pat Gallagher (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to give the Lions a 74-71 edge with 1:33 left in the extra session. After a Hazleton bucket, Gallagher added a free throw on the Lions' next possession to make the score 75-73. Brandywine had a chance to ice the game, but three missed free throw attempts during the final 14 seconds left the door open for Kwiatkowski's heroics.

On the backs of Ketquan Gatewood (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Collegiate Prep) and Bryce Barrouk (Glen Mills, Pa./Rustin), Brandywine opened up a 28-21 lead midway through the first half. Gatewood scored 15 points during the game's first 8:38 and Barrouk buried a trio of triples as the duo combined for 24 of Brandywine's first 28 points.

The Lions extended the lead to 41-33 at the half when Gallagher made the first of his three triples with 42 seconds remaining in the opening period.

Gallagher, Barrouk and Gatewood sank baskets on consecutive possessions to swell the lead to 14 early in the second half. Gatewood's free throw with 12:21 to play gave Brandywine its biggest lead at 15 points, but Hazleton outscored the Lions 28-13 the rest of the way, forcing overtime on Kwiatkowski's layup with 10 seconds left in regulation.

Gatewood and Gallagher both produced double-doubles as Gatewood recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Gallagher tallied 12 points and 10 boards.

Barrouk produced a team-best 23 points after sinking five three-pointers and Naifes Smalls (Philadelphia, Pa./PE&T Charter) hauled in 13 rebounds.

Brandywine (1-2, 0-1 PSUAC) visits Cheyney Thursday for the final contest of a three-game road trip.