LH Men’s Basketball drops nailbiter in season-opener at Bowie State
BOWIE, Md. – The Lock Haven men’s basketball team (0-1) overcame a double-digit second half deficit to take a late lead, but Bowie State University (1-0) held on to steal a 64-61 victory on day one of the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic on Friday night.
The Bowie State Tip-Off Classic is a two-day event featuring the Bowie State, Fayetteville State, California (Pa.) and Lock Haven men’s basketball programs.
Eli Washington (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) was outstanding from start to finish, pouring in a game-high 22 points on an efficient 9-of-12 night from the floor and dishing out a team-high four assists.
Collin Jones also impressed in his Bald Eagle debut, the Central Mountain grad knocking down two three-pointers and going 5-of-6 at the charity stripe on his way to 15 points with the second unit. Jalen Gorham (York, Pa./MacDuffie School) added 10 points and two blocks.
Trailing by as much as 10 (45-35) in the second half, the Bald Eagles clawed their way back to take a 53-52 lead with just under six minutes to go after a steal and fast break score by Washington.
Both teams traded baskets over the next three possessions, before the Bull Dogs used an 8-2 run to go back up 62-57 with 3:05 to go.
Jones continued his standout play in the second half, drilling his second trifecta of the game, followed by a free throw by Gorham to cut the Bald Eagles’ deficit to 62-61 with under two minutes remaining.
However, that was the final basket for Lock Haven and Bowie State held on to steal a 64-61 victory on its home floor.
Lock Haven shot an impressive 51 percent (21-of-41) from the floor, while holding Bowie State to 38 percent (26-of-69), but the Bald Eagles’ 21 turnovers allowed the Bulldogs to create extra possessions they needed.
In the first half, the Bald Eagles showcased a strong defense right from the tip as Lock Haven held Bowie State to just one field goal through the opening six minutes.
However, coming out of the first media timeout, the Bulldogs erupted on a 11-0 run to take a seven-point lead at the midway point in the first half.
Bowie State took advantage of 14 Bald Eagles’ turnovers to lead 32-27 at the break. Washington led Lock Haven with a game-high 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
The Bald Eagles return to the court Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. to take on Fayetteville State in a non-conference game to conclude the Bowie State Tip-Off Classic in Bowie, Maryland.
