Lions Edged By New Kensington

MEDIA, Pennsylvania – The Penn State Brandywine men's basketball team trailed by as many as 16 points before rallying to within one, but the Lions' comeback fell just short during an 80-75 setback against Penn State New Kensington on Saturday afternoon.

Shaquille Hager's layup made the score 58-42 in favor of New Kensington with 11:05 to play in regulation. The Lions steadily worked their way back into the game as Amir Davis (Philadelphia, Pa./Walter Palmer Charter) sank a jumper to bring the deficit to 10 and Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) followed with a three-pointer two minutes later to make the score 59-52.

Spencer's free throws at the 6:00 minute mark sliced the deficit to six and he brought Brandywine within five on its next possession with a triple.

With just over two minutes to play, Dimitri Burton (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Roberson) sank a pair of free throws and Chris Lyons (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) connected on a layup 60 seconds later to cut New Kensington's lead to just one.

New Kensington missed a layup on its next possession, but Brandywine turned the ball over with 34 seconds to play and was forced to foul.

Jordan Williams drained two free throws to make the PSNK lead three and Brandywine was unable to connect on a three-pointer during its ensuing possession. Williams sank to more shots from the charity stripe with 13 seconds left to ice the game for New Kensington.

Brandywine led by as many as nine during the first half following a triple from Davis, but the Lions were held scoreless for nearly seven minutes as New Kensington opened up an eight-point lead.

New Kensington used an 11-2 spurt midway through the second half to extend the lead to 16 before the Lions mounted their rally.

Spencer produced a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Davis registered 17 points, seven boards and four assists. Pat O'Neill (Morton, Pa./Ridley) and Marcus Turner (Claymont, Del./Chichester) both netted 10 for Brandywine, which shot 40 percent from the field (28-70).

Brandywine held a 44-30 edge on the glass.

Williams drained eight three-pointers to lead all scorers with 35 points, while Dorian Broadwater tallied 17 points.

Brandywine (0-13, 0-5 PSUAC) hosts Penn State Fayette on Sunday at 3:00 pm.