Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Senior Will Royal led a group of four Raider starters with 20 points and nine rebounds on Sunday afternoon from Heiges Field House but the Shippensburg University men's basketball could not overcome a 14-point second half deficit in a 77-73 loss to regional rival Shepherd.

Shippensburg (1-5) lost its third game of the year by four points or less. A three-point play by Royal with 23 seconds remaining got the Raiders within two points of the lead, but Ram guard Brantley Osborne made all four of his free-throw attempts down the stretch to secure the victory for the visitors. SU originally got within two points of the Rams at the 7-minute mark of the second half but could never get any closer.

Shepherd (3-1) committed just three first-half turnovers and finished with just 11 for the game – two of which came in the final two minutes of the game. The Rams made as many field goals as the Raiders (25) and matched Shippensburg from the free-throw line (both teams shot 20-of-29) but made seven three-pointers and had 11 steals.

The Raiders were dominant on the glass – out-rebounding the Rams by a 37-26 margin. Included in that total were 13 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second-chance points.

Royal was strong in the post, making 6-of-11 from the field while converting 8-of-10 attempts from the free-throw line. Senior Craig Van Scyoc contributed 17 points and eight rebounds. Van Scyoc was 3-of-7 from three-point range but was the only Raider to make a shot from long range in the contest despite 14 attempts.

Freshman Reggie Charles had 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Senior Jordan Stasyszyn recorded 10 points, four assists and four rebounds.

Shepherd got 20 points off the bench from Sidney McCray. Chad Moore had 17 points and eight rebounds despite playing in foul trouble for most of the game. Point guard Aeron Spencer contributed 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals while committing just three turnovers. Osborne finished with 13 points, including an 8-of-8 performance at the free-throw line.

Shippensburg returns to action at 8 p.m. Tuesday against Goldey-Beacom from Heiges Field House.