WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Behind a career-high 30 points from Amir Hinton (Philadelphia/Abington) and an 18-0 run midway through the second half, the Lock Haven University men's basketball team (9-8, 5-8 PSAC) soared past host West Chester University (8-10, 6-7 PSAC), 88-83 in a huge Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East clash.
 
LHU trailed by as many as eight in the first half, but the two teams were tied 42-42 at halftime.
 
With 11:40 left in the game West Chester's Malik Jackson drained a jumper to put the Golden Rams up 63-55, but from there it was all Lock Haven as the Bald Eagles took their first lead of the game with 9:01 left in regulation in the midst of an 18-0 run, which completely changed the momentum of the contest.
 
Lock Haven led by 10, 73-63 with 6:50 to play after the run.
 
Host-WCU didn't fold, battled back and made a game of it down the stretch, but LHU never relinquished the lead after the big run.
 
Hinton was 9 of 14 from the field and 3 of 5 from 3-point range on the way to his first career 30-point game. He also had seven rebounds.
 
Craig Slade (Philadelphia/Constitution) was sensational and finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Khaleeq Campbell (Chester, Pa./Chester) drilled a trio 3-pointers on the way to 13 points.
 
Cole Renninger (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) added nine points and seven rebounds, and Ra'eese Hunt (Upper Marlboro, Md./Riverdale Baptist) chipped in with eight points.
 
The win was Lock Haven's first at West Chester since January 2007.
 
The Bald Eagles will return to the court next Wednesday (Jan. 25) at 7:30 p.m. when they host local-rival Bloomsburg University to Thomas Fieldhouse.