LH Men’s Basketball strikes early in dominate victory over Lightning
WILMINGTON, Del. – The Lock Haven men’s basketball team wrapped up its three-game road trip to start the 2023-24 season and came away with its first victory in impressive fashion, downing Goldey-Beacom College, 83-63, in non-conference action on Tuesday.
With the victory, the Bald Eagles improved to 1-2 on the young season. The Bald Eagles put together their best game of the season from start to finish, finishing with highs in points (83), field goals made (31), 3-point field goals (nine) assists (14).
Lock Haven was also impressive on the defensive end, holding the Lightning (1-2 overall) to 63 points, as they forced a game-high 20 turnovers which led to a 21-5 advantage in points-off-turnovers.
Justice Shoats (Wilkes Barre, Pa./Holy Redeemer) led the way on offense, finishing with a career-high 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting, adding five rebounds and five assists. Joining Shoats with 20-plus points was Dyllon Scott (Dacula, Ga./Penfield), who poured in 21 points off the bench after finishing a perfect 8-of-8 at the charity stripe and 3-of-4 from three.
Collin Jones (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) continued his double-digit streak with the second unit to start the season, finishing with 13 points, while going 3-of-3 from long range. Isaiah Stewart (Madison, Wis./Madison La Follette) dished out a team-high six assists and Jalen Gorham (York, Pa./MacDuffie School) pulled in a game-high seven rebounds.
The Bald Eagles got things going from behind the arch in the first half, as they knocked down 5-of-12 shots from deep, while holding Goldey-Beacom to 38 percent shooting from the field to lead 40-27 at the break.
In the first half, The Haven led for all but one minute thanks to an aggressive defense that forced Goldey-Beacom to commit 12 turnovers, leading to 12 points. The Bald Eagles turned the ball over just twice, leading to 0 points off turnovers.
Shoats had a breakout half, leading the Bald Eagles with 12 points on 6-oof-11 shooting. Jones got out to another hot start off the bench, pouring in eight points thanks to going a perfect 2-of-2 from long range. Gorham pulled in six of his seven rebounds in the first half.
The Bald Eagles return to Lock Haven for their home-opener inside Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. when Roberts Wesleyan comes to town for a non-conference game.
