Brandywine Drops Final Game Before Break

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Wilkes-Barre used a 21-5 run early in the second half to take control of the game and defeat the Penn State Brandywine men's basketball team 85-65 on Friday night during the teams' final game before the semester break.

Brandywine led for nearly the entire first half, opening up a 16-9 edge following Andrew Persaud's (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) second three-pointer of the game. Wilkes-Barre batted back to take a 25-22 edge, but Bryce Barrouk (Glen Mills, Pa./Rustin) knocked down a triple to send Brandywine back in front 29-27 with 3:09 to go.

However, Barrouk's three-pointer would be the final points of the half for the Lions as Wilkes-Barre received four points from Kevin Silverberg and two free throws from Khalil White to take a 33-29 edge into the break.

The Lions closed within one point as Barrouk buried another triple less than two minutes into the final period, but Wilkes-Barre used a 21-5 surge during the next six minutes to establish a 54-38 edge.

Brandywine narrowed the margin to 11 points three times during the next three minutes, the last of which came on two Pat Gallagher (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) free throws with 9:03 left, but Silverberg and Jayden Hampton combined for the visitors' next 11 points to help Wilkes-Barre put the game away.

Ketquan Gatewood (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Collegiate Prep) led all players with 23 points and 15 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Barrouk added 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while Gallagher notched 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Wilkes-Barre put four players in double-figure scoring, paced by White's 19 points.

Brandywine (4-7, 2-5 PSUAC) will return to action on Saturday, January 11 at home against Central Penn.