SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - After rallying from an eight-point halftime deficit to take the lead in the final three minutes, the Shippensburg men's basketball team could not hold on, dropping a 71-64 decision to Edinboro on Saturday afternoon inside Heiges Field House. The loss is the third for the Red Raiders in their last four meetings with the Fighting Scots.
Shippensburg (6-11, 0-2 PSAC West) reeled off a 12-2 run late in the second half to take a two-point lead, 62-60, with 2:03 to play. The Fighting Scots responded with a three-pointer from Larry Bryant and subsequently forced a turnover that led to a lay-up and a three-point lead with 53 seconds to play.
With 34 seconds remaining, the Red Raiders had a chance to tie the game by working for the final shot, but a turnover on the in-bounds pass led to a transition lay-up for Bryant that ultimately sealed the victory for the visitors.
Edinboro (12-4, 2-0 PSAC West) had raced out to a 39-31 halftime lead by shooting 50 percent in the first half, including 11 from Joseph Jones. The junior guard was one of four Fighting Scots in double figures, as he finished the game with 15 points that include three three-pointers.
Shippensburg was led offensively by red-shirt sophomore center Derrick Graff, who finished the game with 17 points and 12 rebounds for the second double-double of his career. Graff has now scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games.
The Red Raiders attempted a season-high 75 field-goal attempts but could only convert 30.7 percent of their shots from the field, a season-low. Shippensburg also struggled from behind the three-point line, recording a season-low three-point field goal percentage of just 21.7 (5-of-23).
Senior guard Alex Jones recorded his second straight double-digit scoring game for the Red Raiders, totaling 16 points that included four three-pointers. Fourteen of Jones' 16 points came in the first half.
Freshman guard Dane Lauber continued to evolve as a solid slashing guard for the Red Raiders by posting a career-high 10 rebounds to go along with six points. Lauber has totaled 18 points and 16 rebounds in his last two games.
For the Fighting Scots, talented senior forward Ryan McLemore owned the paint, posting his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 16 rebounds. He also blocked six shots. His presence helped Edinboro out-rebound Shippensburg by a 53-40 margin, marking the sixth consecutive game in which the Red Raiders have lost the battle of the boards.
The Red Raiders will conclude their three-game home stand to open PSAC Western Division play this Wednesday when they host California University (Pa.) inside Heiges Field House. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m. The Vulcans were in action against Clarion on Saturday evening.
- Red Raider Basketball -
