Brandywine Fends Off Hazleton For 11th-Straight PSUAC Victory

HAZLETON, Pa. – Penn State Hazleton provided a stiff test, but Penn State Brandywine held off Hazleton to win its 11^th-straight Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball game by a score of 70-62 on Wednesday night.

Brandywine has won 11 consecutive conference games for the first time since 2005-06 and only the third time in team history.

The Lions led by as many as eight points during the first half, but the game was knotted 29-29 at the break after Hazleton netted four points during the final 10 seconds.

Brandywine scored seven consecutive points to begin the second period thanks to a put-back dunk from Colin Hockenbrock (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth), a three-pointer by A.J. Dreger (Newtown Square, Pa./Bonner-Prendie) and a layup from Devon Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington).

Hazleton battled back to within three at the 14:29 mark, but Dreger's basket began an 8-0 run spanning less than two minutes as Brandywine built its biggest lead of the night at 48-37.

The hosts hung around, trimming the deficit to five with 8:46 to go and then to just four at the 5:16 mark; however, Brandywine had an answer each time. First, Jamar Wright (Wilmington, Del./Conrad School of Science) and Hockenbrock knocked down consecutive baskets after Hazleton had closed within 51-46. Later, with Brandywine leading 57-53, Bryce Barrouk (Glen Mills, Pa./Rustin) sank two-straight jumpers to double the margin with 3:43 remaining.

Exactly two minutes later, Barrouk put the game away by burying a contested three-pointer that made the count 66-58. Barrouk and Jones both knocked down two free throws during the final 61 seconds to provide the final margin.

Barrouk and Hockenbrock both collected double-doubles as Barrouk notched 16 points and 16 rebounds and Hockenbrock contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. Wright was the third Lion in double figures after scoring 10 points, while Jaden Kelly (Philadelphia, Pa./GAMP) chipped in nine points.

Brandywine held a commanding 51-32 edge on the boards and shot 40 percent from the field. The Lions forced 18 Hazleton turnovers.

Brandywine (13-7, 12-2 PSUAC) visits Penn State York in a battle for first place in the PSUAC East Division Saturday at 3:00 PM.