Matt Thompson jumper
Gene Walsh
73
Cazenovia CAZM 1-13, 1-6 NEAC
76
Winner Penn State Berks PSBM 4-10, 4-6 NEAC
Cazenovia CAZM
1-13, 1-6 NEAC
73
Final
76
Penn State Berks PSBM
4-10, 4-6 NEAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Cazenovia CAZM 44 29 73
Penn State Berks PSBM 42 34 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's basketball picks up clutch win over Cazenovia

READING, PA - The Penn State Berks men's basketball team rained down some late 3's and got a couple of clutch stops down the stretch on its way to a thrilling 76-73 victory over Cazenovia College in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) contest on Sunday afternoon at Beaver Community Center.

The Nittany Lions (4-10, 4-6 NEAC) erased a late double digit deficit in the first half to trail by just two points at intermission, 44-42. After the break, the Wildcats largest lead in the second half was a four point advantage with 17:04 left in regulation. The score was tied five times and there were three lead changes in over the final half. Cazenovia went ahead 67-65, but Matt Thompson drilled his lone 3-pointer of game to put the Nittany Lions ahead at 68-67 with 4:29 to go. Darren Major hit on the 3-pointer on the next possession and Baba Waples added another from long distance to give Berks a 74-69 advantage. Cazenovia cut its deficit to three points, but Waples responded with a pair of free throws to go back up by five, 76-71. The Wildcats pocked a pair of points of their own at the foul line and then got the rebound off a Berks miss to set up a potential game tying play with 11 seconds left.

Blake Bagozzi got the ball at the top of the key and launched a deep 3-pointer, but Nelson Hine was able to get a piece of the ball and it fell out of bounds to keep possession in Cazenovia's favor with 1.7 left on the clock. The Wildcats in-bound play found a wide open Will Thompson at the top of the key, but his game tying attempt clanked off the back iron as time expired, which sent the Nittany Lions players, coaches, and fans into a frenzy.

Waples, who also knocked down a huge 3 to tie the game at 65-all, led all scorers with 28 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor and a very efficient 8-for-9 showing at the foul line. The senior guard picked up his fourth foul early in the second half and was forced to sit earlier than usual in a tight game. He was able to record three 3-pointers and 11 points in the final nine minute stretch, while avoiding a five foul that would have led to an exit from the game.

Thompson turned in another solid performance for the Nittany Lions. The big man notched his second double-double of the season after recording 12 points and a team-high 11 boards. He also had four steals and played strong defense in all 20 minutes of the second half.

Hine recorded 13 points (10 in the first half), six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Major chipped in 12 points and three boards. Joel Ellison had six points and four rebounds, while Eli Adams added five points off the bench.

Will Thompson led the Wildcats with 23 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Nicholas Filippi with 14 points. Ahmon Powell made a strong impact off the bench, finishing with 16 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

The Nittany Lions return to action with a pair of NEAC contests in New York next weekend. They will face Wells College on Saturday, January 28 at 3 p.m., followed by Keuka College on Sunday, January 29 at 3 p.m.

 
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