Brandywine Hangs On To Best Cheyney 80-71

CHEYNEY, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine nearly saw a double-figure lead evaporate for the second-straight game, but the Lions' men's basketball team hung on to defeat Cheyney University 80-71 during the final game of a three-game road trip Thursday night.

Brandywine led wire-to-wire during the first half, opening up a 41-32 edge at the break.

The Lions limited Cheyney 3-for-20 shooting during the first 10 minutes, building a 16-7 before growing the margin to 14 with a 14-4 spurt. Five different scorers contributed to Brandywine's run, capped by a Pat Gallagher (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) jumper that made the score 30-16. The home-standing Wolves narrowed the deficit to nine by scoring the final four points of the opening half.

Cheyney steadily chipped away at the Lions' lead, eventually tying the game at 56-56 before taking a one-point lead on Jordan Wiggins' free throw with 8:19 to go.

However, Gallagher answered with a jumper to vault the Lions back in front, while Quentin Beasley (Philadelphia, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) followed with a basket and Brandywine would lead the rest of the way.

Cheyney still trailed by three with under three minutes to play when Gallagher sank two free throws to make the count 71-66. After an empty possession for the Wolves, Bryce Barrouk (Glen Mills, Pa./Rustin) came through with the biggest shot of the night, burying a three that put Cheyney away for good.

Beasley topped all scorers with 21 points, while Gallagher stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points (11-12 FT), eight rebounds and five assists.

Barrouk nailed six triples and accounted for 19 points and Ketquan Gatewood (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Collegiate Prep) recorded his third double-double in four games with 16 points and 14 boards.

Cheyney stayed in the game by producing 24 second-chance points on 28 offensive rebounds, but the Lions limited the Wolves to 34 percent shooting and connected on 24-of-31 free throws.

Brandywine (2-2, 0-1) is at home Saturday to face Penn State Lehigh Valley at 3:00 pm.