MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – No. 19 York (Pa.) escaped the Capital Union Building with a narrow, 56-54 non-conference victory over Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team on Tuesday night, Dec. 30.


Jordan Spencer recorded a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Chris Henderson Jr. netted a team-high 18 points. Dylan Moore also flirted with a double-double, finishing with seven points and eight boards.


The Lions (6-7) took a late lead at 52-51 when Spencer knocked down a straightway 3-ball off an Isaiah Milien find with 3:34 left to play but the Spartans (9-1) took advantage of a Penn State Harrisburg foul and converted a free throw to pull even at the 2:35 mark. On the ensuing inbound, the visitors buried a corner 3-pointer to pull ahead 55-52 with 2:33 remaining but Henderson responded with a driving layup to cut the deficit to one with 1:26 to play.


York had a chance to put the game away but went 1-for-4 from the free throw line in the final minute, leaving the door open for one last gasp for the Lions. Kevin Lucas Jr. got off a corner triple as time expired but it rimmed out at the buzzer, allowing the nationally-ranked Spartans to escape with the slim victory.


Trailing 35-27 early in the second half, the home team used its signature stingy defense to put together a 9-0 run that included four points from Henderson, a Maurice Davis layup and a 3-pointer from Moore to put the Lions in front 37-36 with 15:11 to play. The visitors clawed back in front by as many as five at the 6:10 mark but Penn State Harrisburg used another run, this time an 8-2 spurt, that began with a fastbreak layup from Henderson and ended with back-to-back triples from Spencer that set the table for the late-game dramatics.


NOTABLES
- York is the third nationally-ranked program Penn State Harrisburg has faced this season.
- The Lions won the rebounding battle 39-34.
- Penn State Harrisburg racked up 26 points in the paint.
- The Lions took forced 14 turnovers and scored 19 points of York miscues.
- The Spartans got to the foul line 21 times, while Penn State Harrisburg shot just eight free throws.
- Spencer recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
- Henderson netted a team-high 18 points to go along with four boards.
- Moore flirted with a double-double, finishing with seven points and eight rebounds.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions return to conference play when they host United East foe Penn State Abington at the Capital Union Building 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.