SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - After two flailing attempts in the final five seconds of regulation, East Stroudsburg's Josh Wentz converted a desperation tip-in to give the visiting Warriors a 58-56 victory over the Shippensburg University men's basketball team Sunday afternoon at Heiges Field House.
The Red Raiders had tied the score with 21 seconds remaining in regulation after trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half.
Shippensburg (2-4) has now dropped two of its first four games of the season inside Heiges Field House, marking the first time since the 2003-04 season that the Red Raiders have lost more than one home game in a season.
With 11:15 remaining in regulation, the Warriors held a 14-point lead, 49-35. Shippensburg, who never led in the contest, scratched and clawed its way back into the game by shooting 50 percent from the field in the second half. The Red Raiders reduced their deficit to four points at the 3:33 mark before tying the score in the final 30 seconds.
Junior forward Tariek Belcher led the way for Shippensburg, posting his first double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Another significant factor in the game was his free throw shooting, as Belcher was the only Red Raider to make it to the free throw line in the game.
Belcher converted eight of his 13 attempts from the charity stripe, but recorded three consecutive misses in the final two-plus minutes of regulation. However, his lay-up with 22 seconds remaining tied the score at 56-56 before East Stroudsburg's final possession.
The only other Red Raider in double figures on Sunday was red-shirt senior guard Alex Jones, who drained five three-pointers for 15 points and four assists.
Sophomore forward Daziah Miller recorded eight points and four rebounds, and is averaging 17.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game after six contests this season.
Wentz and Andy Heimbach each delivered 14 points for the Warriors, while Pat Fleury recorded 10 rebounds and five assists.
Shippensburg will continue its five-game home stand on Tuesday night, when the Red Raiders host Chestnut Hill at 7:00 p.m. from Heiges Field House.
- Red Raider Basketball -
