CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team came up clutch in crunch time of a valuable 77-67 road victory over United East foe Wilson on Wednesday night, Feb. 5.
Reigning United East Offensive Player of the Week Isaiah Eggleston led the way with a game-high 23 points, while Jordan Spencer scored 15 points and finished one rebound shy of a double-double. Chris Henderson chipped in with 11 points and Kevin Lucas Jr. added 10 points off the bench.
With things knotted up at 46-46 and 11:50 left to play, the Lions (15-7, 11-2 United East) methodically built small advantages and answered each time Wilson (9-12, 7-5 United East) cut into the advantage. Back-to-back layups from Eggleston and Irby Hunter pushed the lead to four at the 10:31 mark but the Phoenix responded with a jumper to pull to within one possession.
Penn State Harrisburg mounted a bit of momentum when Lucas Jr. knocked down a pair of 3-balls and followed it up with a mid-range jumper to make it 60-52 with 7:02 remaining. Wilson hit a triple to pull to within five with 4:18 to play but Spencer stemmed the tide with a pair of free throws to make it a three-possession game.
Wilson's last gasp was thwarted when a Phoenix 3-pointer that cut the deficit to four at the 2:33 mark was answered by an Eggleston corner triple on the ensuing possession. Lance Douglas swiped a steal on the defensive end and found Henderson for a dagger 3-ball that made it a 10-point game with 1:35 left to play.
The Lions led by as many as a dozen points late in the first half but Wilson finished it out with a 12-2 run to close the gap to 33-31 at the break.
NOTABLES
- The Lions dominated on the glass, finishing with a 45-28 rebounding advantage.
- The Penn State Harrisburg bench outscored the Wilson reserves 24-19.
- Eggelston scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed six rebounds.
- Spencer nearly had a double-double, finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds.
- Henderson chipped in with 11 points and four boards.
- Lucas added 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.
- Hunter tallied eight points in a reserve role.
- Larry Onabanwo finished with a game-high nine assists.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions travel to Lancaster Bible for another crucial conference showdown 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.
