MORRISTOWN, N.J. - In a rematch of last season's United East Championship Game, Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team defeated conference foe Saint Elizabeth 78-71 on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 18.
Isaiah Eggleston led the way, recording a monster double-double with a team-high 23 points and game-best 17 rebounds. Chris Henderson finished with 14 points of his own, while Jordan Spencer added eight points and six rebounds.
The Lions (10-7, 6-2 United East) found themselves in a precarious position midway through the second half, facing a seven-point deficit with 9:33 to left to play but back-to-back 3-pointers from Kevin Lucas Jr. and Eggleston reversed the momentum and pulled the visitors to within one at 59-58 at the 8:21 mark. After a scoreless minute and change, Irby Hunter converted a pair of free throws that put Penn State Harrisburg back out in front for the first time since the early minutes of the second half.
From there, there were six lead changes and two ties, with neither team creating any real separation until Henderson converted a layup that put the Lions ahead 69-68 with three minutes remaining and followed it up with a 3-ball on the ensuing possession, giving Penn State Harrisburg a four-point lead with 2:39 left.
Saint Elizabeth (6-11, 4-4 United East) converted four free throws down the stretch to keep it a one-possession game but the Lions did the same, with Larry Onabanwo and Eggleston combining to convert five attempts from the foul line in the final 27 seconds to seal the valuable conference victory.
The Eagles jumped out a 7-0 advantage to begin the game but the visitors chipped away and eventually took their first lead of the day when Henderson converted a layup in transition that made it 16-15 at the 11:49 mark. Lucas connected from beyond the arc to push the lead to seven with 8:44 left before halftime and the Lions eventually grabbed their largest advantage of the game when an Onabanwo free throw made it 40-32 just a few seconds before the break.
Leading 40-34 at halftime, Penn State Harrisburg saw the lead evaporate early in the second half thanks to a 12-0 run by Saint Elizabeth early in the second half.
NOTABLES
- The Lions got to the free throw line 39 times, converting 28 of their attempts (71.8 percent).
- Penn State Harrisburg finished with a decisive 50-32 advantage in rebounds and scored 19 second chance points.
- The visitors scored 22 points off Saint Elizabeth turnovers.
- The Penn State Harrisburg bench outscored the Saint Elizabeth reserves 22-4.
- Eggleston recorded his fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 23 points and a game-best 17 rebounds.
- Henderson added 14 points and four boards.
- Spencer finished with eight points and six rebounds.
- Lance Douglas chipped in with seven points.
- Lucas provided six points off the bench.
- Isaiah Milien netted four points and grabbed six rebounds in his return to action.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions begin the second round of conference play when they host United East foe Keystone at the Capital Union Building on Wednesday night.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
