MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – In a game that ebbed and flowed multiple times, Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team eventually fell 68-49 to No. 3 John Carroll at the Capital Union Building in the final game of the Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off Classic presented by Comfort Inn & Suites Harrisburg Airport - Hershey South on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 10.
Isaiah Eggleston and Isaiah Milien were named to the Penn State Harrisburg All-Classic Team. Eggleston scored a team-high 17 points for the second straight day, while Milien finished with nine points and a game-high five steals on Sunday.
The Lions (1-1) held the nationally-ranked Blue Streaks (2-0) to 32 first-half points but struggled to find consistent scoring in the early going. A couple of 3-balls from Chris Henderson and Irby Hunter, as well as a Lance Douglas driving layup, put the home team out in front 8-5 at the 17:21 mark but John Carroll put together an 11-1 run to nab a seven-point lead with 13:09 left in the opening half.
The offense stagnated over the next five minutes, as Penn State Harrisburg didn't add a field goal until a Milien jumper at the 8:03 mark. The defense kept them in it, however, and made possible a spurt that cut the deficit to 24-18 with 4:48 left in the first half following five straight points from Eggleston.
The Blue Streaks stretched the advantage back to 14 at halftime and eventually led by as many as 20 points with 13:23 left to play but the Lions refused to roll over and put together a gutsy 15-0 run over the ensuing five minutes that included triples from Henderson and Douglas along with a Milien old-fashion 3-point play.
JCU responded, however, holding off the final Penn State Harrisburg push long enough to regroup, finish strong and end the weekend undefeated at the tip-off classic.
NOTABLES
- The Lions were held to 26.3 percent shooting from the field and 14.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
- John Carroll finished with 22 points in the paint compared to just 12 for Penn State Harrisburg.
- Eggleston led the way with a team-high 17 points and six rebounds.
- Milien tallied nine points and five steals.
- Henderson recorded seven points, five boards, and five assists.
- Douglas added five points and four rebounds.
- Jordan Spencer added eight rebounds off the bench.
- JCU's Luke Chicone was named the tip-off classic MVP. The Lions were able to limit the preseason all-American to 11 points on 2-of-9 shooting on Sunday.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions face a Swarthmore squad currently receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll on Saturday, Nov. 16.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
