BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team picked up its first victory of the young season with a 79-63 victory at Bridgewater (Va.) in non-conference action on Tuesday night, Nov. 18.


Antwone George turned in the best effort of his young career, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. Chris Henderson added 14 points, while Jordan Spencer was the third player to reach double figures with a dozen points. Andre Thomas chipped in with a team-high seven rebounds and six assists. 


After a back-and-forth opening to the contest, the Lions (1-3) created some separation midway through the first half, pulling ahead 23-16 thanks to 3-pointers from Jayson Fain, George and Elija Eccleston. After two more 3-balls from Henderson and George, Kevin Lucas Jr. knocked down a jumper in the lane before another triple from George pushed the lead to 34-21 with 3:52 left until the break.


Leading 38-31 at halftime, Penn State Harrisburg pushed its advantage back to double digits thanks to a Maurice Davis old-fashioned 3-point play at the 17:54 mark. After George converted a rare 4-point play a couple minutes later, the Eagles (1-2) used back-to-back layups to cut the deficit to nine with 13:32 remaining but the Lions scored six of the next seven points top stretch the lead back to 14 following another Lucas jumper. 


Penn State Harrisburg led by as many as 20 points on two occasions late in the second half when Spencer connected on a jumper from beyond the arc at the 7:47 mark and again when David Reed IV converted a layup off a George find with 6:06 left to play. 


NOTABLES
- The Lions shot an impressive 50.9 percent from the floor and 45 percent from 3-point range.
- Penn State Harrisburg's bench outscored Bridgewater's reserves 39-17. 
- The Lions won the rebounding battle 31-26. 
- George finished with a team-high 16 points on 4-for-5 shooting from distance to go along with four rebounds and three assists.
- Henderson finished with 14 points and a pair of steals. 
- Spencer was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in scoring 12 points. 
- Davis and Reed each finished with seven points. 
- Dylan Moore added six points, four rebounds and three blocks.
- Thomas pulled down a team-best seven boards and dished out six assists.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions continue non-conference play when they travel to Alvernia on Saturday afternoon.


STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube using the handle @pshbgathletics.