Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg men's basketball team had a one-point lead with 95 seconds to play on Saturday afternoon from Heiges Field House in a PSAC East clash with Cheyney, but the Wolves converted six free-throw attempts and held SU scoreless down the stretch to defeat the Red Raiders, 72-67.

Shippensburg (8-11, 1-5 PSAC East) came out firing to start the second half with a 12-4 run and built an eight-point advantage, 43-35, with 16 minutes to play. A three-pointer by redshirt sophomore Jordan Stasyszyn kept SU up by five points at the 12:30 mark, but the visitors tied the score for the fourth time with 10:42 to go.

The score would become tied seven more times over the final 10 minutes of play, while neither team built a lead greater than two possessions. The Wolves held a five-point advantage with four minutes to go, but a mini burst from Shippensburg was capped by three-pointer from sophomore guard Craig Van Scyoc and the Red Raiders were within one point at the 2:44 mark.

Cheyney (10-8, 4-2 PSAC East) trailed by one point on two separate occasions in the final 2:20 but thrived from the free-throw line down the stretch. Rob Townsend and Tamir Smith each hit two free throws to put the visitors in the lead by one point, while Sharif Bray made all four of his attempts in the final 20 seconds to clinch the victory.

Van Scyoc led Shippensburg in scoring for the third time in the past four games, totaling 15 points in support of four rebounds. Junior Jaren Gembe made his first start of the season and delivered 10 points, three rebounds and three assists while committing just one turnover.

Redshirt freshman Will Kirkland had a solid effort off the bench, shooting 4-of-5 from the field for 10 points  in addition to eight rebounds. In the post, redshirt senior forward Daziah Miller had six points and eight rebounds while redshirt sophomore forward Will Royal added eight points and five rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench.

Bray, ranked second in the PSAC for scoring, led all players with 29 points. He also had five rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Tamir Smith had 12 points and six assists for Cheyney, who committed just eight turnovers in the game.

Shippensburg begins a three-game road trip on Wednesday from Hollinger Fieldhouse with an 8 p.m. tipoff against West Chester.