LH men’s basketball defeats Slippery Rock in double overtime thriller
SLIPPERY ROCK, PA – The Lock Haven University men’s basketball team (12-5, 8-4 PSAC) traveled to Slippery Rock University (12-6, 6-6 PSAC) on Monday for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) showdown and the Bald Eagles saw their first overtime action of the season, capping off a successful 80-75 (2 OT) victory in the crossover battle.
After an early 8-2 lead for Lock Haven, The Rock launched back with an 11-4 run to take a 13-12 lead halfway through the first half. This stood as the last lead in regulation for the host as the Bald Eagle defense halted any success for SRU’s offense.
LHU turned around and scored the next twelve points to regain the lead at 24-13. For the rest of the half, Slippery Rock finished only four baskets as Lock Haven took a 37-23 lead into the half.
The 23 points are the fewest first half points that the Bald Eagles have allowed this season, as they limited The Rock to 32.3% shooting from the field and 12.5% from the arc.
Early in the second half, Slippery Rock cut into the lead, bringing the score to 44-35.
Justice Shoats (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Holy Redeemer) nailed three field goals over the next four minutes to give LHU a 51-38 lead.
The Rock bounced back, but with three minutes remaining still trailed 57-51.
In crunch time, Eli Washington (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) added four points to the scoreboard as LHU looked to cement their 61-54 lead with just under two minutes remaining.
In a frantic comeback, the hosts were a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line and a late bucket helped send the thriller to overtime tied at 61-61.
During the first overtime, the two teams exchanged a score, with Lock Haven’s coming from Isaiah Stewart (Madison, Wis./Madison La Follette) as the two remained tied at 65. In the second overtime, the Bald Eagles finished off the crossover contest dropping 15in the final five with James Price (Joppa, Md./Archbishop Curley) racking up six of his own to help LHU grab the important 80-75 road victory.
Price finished off the night with 13 points and 14 rebounds, his fifth double-double and the most rebounds in a game by a Bald Eagle this season.
Five Lock Haven players scored double digits including Price, Shoats, Washington, Jayy Davis (Cheltenham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham (Washington Adventist)), and Dymir Montague (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti).
Lock Haven continues their busy stretch with a road trip to East Stroudsburg on Wednesday
Jan. 25. That contest is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
