2011-12 Men's Basketball team
Tyler Schueck
79
Penn State Berks PSBM1112 10-14, 9-5 NEAC
86
Winner Morrisville State MORM1112 18-8, 14-1 NEAC
Penn State Berks PSBM1112
10-14, 9-5 NEAC
79
Final
86
Morrisville State MORM1112
18-8, 14-1 NEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Penn State Berks PSBM1112 37 42 79
Morrisville State MORM1112 41 45 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's basketball fall in semis to Morrisville State

MORRISVILLE, NY (February 25, 2012) - The magical season of the Penn State Berks men's basketball team came to a halt after falling, 86-79, to top-seed Morrisville State College in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

After beginning the season 0-9, head coach Scott Yarnell and assistant coach D'Wayne Duncan received everything and more that they asked out of the roster of nine players during the remainder of the season. This year's squad set a single-season record for wins (11) and consecutive win streak (7). It was also the first time the program reached the semifinal round since the 2008-09 season.

Throughout the contest, there were 14 lead changes and the score was tied on seven occasions. The largest lead by either team was an eight point advantage by the Mustangs (18-8) with 4:28 to play in the first half. The Nittany Lions (11-14) sliced that deficit down to four points heading into the break and were able to jump ahead by one six minutes into the second half.

The Mustangs would not relinquish the lead after going ahead 64-62 with 8:59 to play. Berks did not go away quietly, cutting the score to 73-72 with a little over three minutes to go.

Jeff Schmidt, who received his All-NEAC Second Team award prior to the contest, finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Nittany Lions. The junior forward handed out four assists and compiled 88 on the season to lead the team.

Shawn Green continued his strong offensive play with a 16 point effort. He played a vital role in the team's success down the stretch, averaging 19.0 points over the final seven contests. Tom Smith recorded 13 points, five steals and six assists, while Connor Hough added 10 points and three rebounds. Junior guard Dontez Reid had six points, six rebound and handed out a game-high six assists.

The Berks bench of Michael Porter, Jon Skinner and Jim Wagner again kept the team in good shape and gave valuable minutes. Porter chipped in seven points, while Skinner and Wagner each finished with five points.

The Nittany Lion defense was able to accomplish something very few teams were able to do this season, holding NEAC Player of the Year Mickey Davis to just nine points. He scored in double-figures in every game but two heading into today's meeting.

Kyle Gordon (16 points) stepped up his game as the Nittany Lions focused on Davis. Kucjok Ater, Brandon Hanks and Brandon Henry each chipped in 14 points and Hodges Sneed added 11.

The Mustangs collectively shots 31-of-60 from the field and 6-of-17 from beyond the arc. The Nittany Lions shot 44.4% from the floor and 72.7% from the free throw line.

With every player capable of returning next year, the future looks bright for the Nittany Lions heading into the 2012-13 season.
 
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