LH Men’s Basketball Grabs Gritty Conference Win over Shepherd
LOCK HAVEN, PA – On a frigid afternoon in Central Pennsylvania, the Lock Haven University men’s basketball team (15-6, 11-5 PSAC) and Shepherd University (11-11, 7-8 PSAC) got locked into a heated Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup.
In what was a tight affair for 40 minutes, the Bald Eagles made a number of clutch plays and were able to pull away with the 64-58 win.
As the PSAC season winds down, the important conference win keeps LHU seated in a tie for second place in the Eastern Division. The top six seeds in each division make the postseason, but the two highest-ranked teams in each division receive an all-important first-round bye.
Jayy Davis (Cheltenham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham (Washington Adventist)) did the majority of his damage from beyond the arc and led The Haven with 17 points, including five made three-pointers. Davis’ one made basket from inside the arc could not have come at a better time and gave LHU a late 61-58 lead.
James Price (Joppa, Md./Archbishop Curley) made a pair of crucial late free throws and effectively iced the game in the final minute with two more massive rebounds for LHU. Price totaled a game-high nine rebounds and added in nine more points. The senior forward also added a game-high four blocks.
Jalen Gorham (York, Pa./MacDuffie School (Saint Michael’s)) joined Davis as the two Bald Eagles in double figures with 13 points, as points were at a premium in the chippy conference battle.
Bald Eagle fans in Thomas Fieldhouse were treated for braving the elements as the two sides produced a thrilling matchup, featuring five lead changes, three ties and the largest lead of ten points was short-lived.
After the score was tied 27-27 at halftime, the Bald Eagles looked poised to pull away in the second half and had built up a 45-35 lead at the 13-minute mark. The Rams responded quickly however, and tied the game at 53-53 to set up the exciting finish.
On the glass, Shepherd held a 36-34 lead in rebounds, but Price’s late grabs helped seal the deal for Lock Haven.
The Bald Eagles have now won four out of their last five contests, and have officially sealed their first winning season since 2013-14 when LHU finished 17-10.
Up Next:
Lock Haven plays host to Mansfield on Monday (Feb. 6) in their next outing. That contest is set for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
