Schuylkill Slips Past Brandywine 70-59

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine cut a 13-point, second-half deficit to five during the closing minutes, but could not get any closer as the Lions dropped a Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball matchup by a 70-59 score at Penn State Schuylkill on Wednesday night.

The Lions quickly trimmed Schuylkill's 48-35 lead to eight following a layup from Colin Hockenbrock (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) and a Jaden Kelly (Philadelphia, Pa./ GAMP) three-pointer with eight minutes on the clock.

Brandywine came as close as seven points down twice during the next six minutes and narrowed the margin to 60-55 when Joey Brusha (Abington, Pa./Abington) canned a triple with 120 seconds remaining.

Schuylkill iced the game from the free throw line. Forced to foul, the Lions sent the hosts to the charity stripe 11 times during the final 1:20 and Schuylkill knocked down 10 of its free throw attempts.

The hosts outscored Brandywine 16-6 during the final 8:32 of the first half to open up a 29-22 edge at intermission. The Lions twice came within four early in the second period, but a 15-6 spurt by Schuylkill opened up the hosts' largest lead of the night at 13 points.

Jamar Wright (Wilmington, Del./Conrad School of Science) netted a team-high 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and tallied three steals. Johnta Dunson (Philadelphia, Pa./Freire Charter) added 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Hockenbrock and Kelly both chipped in seven points. Hockenbrock also grabbed a team-best nine boards.

Brandywine shot 38 percent from the field, knocked down seven triples and made 8-of-11 free throws, while Schuylkill recorded 39 percent shooting and connected on 21 of 27 free throw attempts.

Brandywine (7-14, 7-9 PSUAC) will honor its seniors prior to Saturday's game versus Penn State Hazleton (3:00 PM).