WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Lock Haven University men's basketball team (16-9, 12-8 PSAC) visited West Chester University (19-7, 14-6 PSAC) as the two battled it out in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) clash as the Golden Rams survived and earned a thrilling 81-78 victory.
The two teams entered today's contest with their playoff spots locked up, but both were vying for a chance to host a home playoff game.
Through the games' opening minutes, the lead never became larger than four as the Golden Rams led 21-17.
Lock Haven score eight straight points after this, including five by Jayy Davis (Cheltenham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham (Washington Adventist)) to take a 25-21 lead as the Bald Eagles led for the rest of the first half.
The Bald Eagles opened up the lead, and took a 45-37 score into halftime, the largest lead of the day for either team. LHU shot 50% in the half, and Davis leading all scorers with 17.
WCU responded fast in the second half, scoring the first six points of the half to cut the lead to just two. Three lead changes occurred over the next five minutes as the Golden Rams took a 59-58 lead heading into the final ten minutes.
The game remained deadlocked until the host opened their biggest lead of the day, taking a 78-73 lead with just a minute remaining.
Davis and Justice Shoats (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Holy Redeemer) each placed a crucial shot to bring it within two points, before Dymir Montague (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) sent home the game tying bucket with 26 seconds remaining to tie things at 78-78.
WCU finished off the game with the decisive three-pointer with just three seconds left to seal the 81-78 victory.
Four Bald Eagles landed in double figures in the thriller as Davis scored 24, Montague grabbed 15, Shoats placed 13, and James Price (Joppa, Md./Archbishop Curley) scored 10.
Up Next:
Lock Haven returns to the Thomas Fieldhouse to face East Stroudsburg on Wednesday (Feb. 22) for another important game towards their playoff position. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
