LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven men's basketball team battled Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division foe Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) to the very end, but the Crimson Hawks held on to escape Thomas Fieldhouse with a 68-63 victory on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 2).
 
Saturday's East-West crossover contest snaps the Bald Eagles' three-game winning streak, and Lock Haven drops to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the PSAC. IUP improves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in conference.
 
For Lock Haven, Collin Jones (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) continues his tear on offense to start the season and finished with a tie for the team-lead with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Jones added four rebounds and went 6-of-7 at the foul line.
 
Justice Shoats (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Holy Redeemer) matched Jones' 18 points, while adding a team-high five assists.
 
Dyson Harward (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) added a team-high seven rebounds. Dyllon Scott (Dacula, Ga./Penfield) contributed eight points and five rebounds off the bench.
 
In the second half, the Crimson Hawks built a 44-35 lead with just over 14 minutes remaining. However, The Haven outscored IUP, 16-6 over the ensuing five minutes to take its first lead of the game, 51-50.
 
However, IUP scored on its next possession to regain the advantage, one they wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the night.
 
The Bald Eagles hung right with IUP from the field, but it was the Crimson Hawks' shooting from behind the arch that proved to be the difference as they made seven trifectas to The Haven's three. IUP also cleaned up on the offensive glass and finished with a 12-6 lead in offensive rebounds, which led to a 15-4 advantage in second-chance points.
 
Lock Haven's defense and second unit sparked the comeback effort, as the Bald Eagles led the turnover battle, 10-6 and bench points 26-10.
 
NEXT UP:
The Bald Eagles return to the court on Saturday, Dec. 9 when they travel to Wilmington, Delaware for a 2 p.m. non-conference game at Wilmington University.