Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Red-shirt junior center Derrick Graff became the second Red Raider this season to total 20 or more points in a game on Wednesday night from Heiges Field House but Shippensburg could not overcome a double-digit halftime deficit in a 70-58 loss to West Chester.

Shippensburg (10-10, 2-5 PSAC East) maintained a concerted effort to work the ball down low on Wednesday night and the primary recipient was Graff, who finished with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The Raiders also had assists on 14 of their 23 field goals.

Junior forward Daziah Miller earned his first start of the season and contributed nine points and nine rebounds in a season-high 35 minutes of action. Sophomore guard Justin Minter delivered nine points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.

Graduate forward Ryan Kraft had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one sensational block but was held to just 22 minutes of playing time because of foul trouble. He is now just 88 points short of 1,000 for his career.

Despite trailing by 11 points at halftime and 13 points early in the second half, the Red Raiders embarked upon a 9-0 run over a two-minute stretch that brought the score to 39-35 in favor of West Chester with 17:32 to play.

The Golden Rams slowly built their advantage back up to 13 points, leading 56-43 at the 10:25 mark, but another 9-0 Red Raider run brought the score to 56-52 with 7:24 to play. The two teams proceeded to miss the next six combined attempts from the field before a 7-0 run gave the visitors an insurmountable edge.

West Chester (14-6, 6-1 PSAC East) moved into a tie for second place in the PSAC Eastern Division with the victory. Junior forward Ralph Hegamin displayed his physical presence on Wednesday night with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Kehinde Roberts added 15 points.

The Red Raiders will continue their three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon from Heiges Field House in a PSAC Eastern Division Contest against Mansfield that will tip at 3 p.m. Shippensburg lost to the Mountaineers on January 14 to open conference play, 76-63.