MBB: #1 Lock Haven set to host #4 West Chester in PSAC Championship Quarterfinals on Wednesday
LOCK HAVEN – After winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship (PSAC) Eastern Division Championship to earn the top seed, the Lock Haven men’s basketball team is set to host No. 4 seed West Chester on Wednesday (March 6) at 7:30 p.m. inside Thomas Fieldhouse.
NEED TO KNOW
Location: Lock Haven, Pa.
Facility: Thomas Fieldhouse
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, March 6
LIVE COVERAGE
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Updates: X (@HavenAthletics); GoLHU.com
UNSUNG HEROES
Fresh off a successful 2022-23 season that featured a 17-11 record and the program’s first postseason victory in 33 years, the Bald Eagles were primed to make a leap into conference contention.
However, after being picked to finish sixth in the PSAC East Preseason Coaches’ poll, the Bald Eagles started the season 0-2. On top of the slow start, The Haven lost its starting point guard and leading scorer Eli Washington for the season in just the second game.
Adversity had struck and signs from the outside pointed the program in the wrong direction.
However, feelings from inside the program remained steady and the team began to take on the personality and leadership of all-time coaching wins leader Mike Nestor.
There was a plan. Nestor turned the offense over to sophomore guard Justice Shoats.
Under the new go-to man, the Bald Eagles began to rattle off victory-after-victory and Shoats began to flourish on both the offensive and defensive end.
Shoats earned PSAC East Athlete of the Week five times this season, twice on offense and three times on defense.
As the only player in the PSAC to rank in the top-10 in both assists and scoring, Shoats ranks second in the conference in points (20.4) and fourth in assists (4.6).
Highlighted by an upset victory over No. 11/8 ESU in early January, Lock Haven won nine straight games and pole vaulted into first place in the PSAC East.
Shoats led the charge, but it was the entire group that started to click to become one of the most well-rounded teams in the Atlantic Region.
Second-year starter Isaiah Stewart started all 27 games and shot a deadly 43 percent from behind the arch.
Graduate seniors and NCAA DIII transfers Dyson Harward and Collin Jones formed one of the best one-two big-man punches in the conference. Harward ranks 10th in the PSAC in rebounding (6.6) and Jones is the top-scoring sixth man in the league at 12.8 points-per-game.
Swish-army knife Jalen Gorham took over a Denise Rodman-like role as a rebounder and throwing down dunks to bring Thomas Fieldhouse to their feet and brothers Dyllon and Bryson Scott rounded out a second-unit that often times not only kept Lock Haven in games but helped extend on leads.
The group that started the season 0-2 was now 20-7 overall and 18-4 in conference, while claiming the PSAC East title for the first time in program history.
SERIES PRIMER
After losing the previous six contests in the series with West Chester, Lock Haven swept the 2023-24 series with two classic matchups at home and on the road.
Lock Haven bested the Golden Rams at home, 74-71, before downing West Chester on the road, 78-77, in a thriller to clinch the sweep.
West Chester earned the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament with a 19-10 overall record and 15-7 mark in the PSAC East.
The Golden Rams feature four scorers with averages in double figures and are led by Elijah Allen, who finished the season with 17.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
The Bald Eagles reached the quarterfinals last season for the first time in 33 years, and will look to avenge a 75-54 defeat at top-seeded Shippensburg.
TICKET INFORMATION (From the PSAC)
**PURCHASE TICKETS FROM HUDL TICKETING AT THIS LINK. Please note that you can either check out as a guest or create a Hudl Account for ease of future purchases.**
Payment by cash is NOT available. TICKETS PURCHASED AT THE GATE WILL STILL NEED TO BE MADE ONLINE.
Ticketing QR Code
Adult $10
Student Age K-12: $5
Free admission for PSAC students with valid member institution I.D.
No complimentary tickets.
PSAC Passes honored.
Tickets can only be purchased via Hudl Ticketing. This will be a cashless event. All Sales Final – No Refunds.
Follow all the action this weekend at GoLHU.com. For updates and breaking news on game day, please follow us on our official @HavenAthletics social media accounts.
