Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball team fought back from a game-long deficit but couldn't take control in the final 10 minutes of play on Wednesday night before falling to West Chester, 71-63, from Heiges Field House.

Senior Will Royal led all scorers with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting and an 8-of-10 performance from the free throw line.

Senior Craig Van Scyoc made 4-of-7 from three-point range – including three in the span of four possessions at one point in the second half – en route to 16 points as well as six rebounds.

Senior Dane Lauber earned his ninth start of the season and scored seven points and recorded six rebounds. Freshman Sam Pygatt made two of his three shots and finished with eight points off the bench, marking the fifth time in the last six games that he has contributed at least seven points.

Sophomore Dylan Edgar added six points, four rebounds and a career-high four assists.

Shippensburg (9-16, 6-13 PSAC) trailed West Chester (14-9, 11-8 PSAC) for the entirety of the first half, getting as close as four, down 30-26, with two minutes left. WCU scored the final four points of the half, however, to go into the break up 34-26.

SU fell behind by as many as 12 points in the second half, down 50-38, just over seven minutes in. But the Raiders came storming back, going on a 11-0 run – highlighted by three three-pointers by Van Scyoc over a 1:41 span – to get within one, down 50-49 at the 10:59 mark.

West Chester answered with a 9-4 run of its own to extend its lead back up to 59-53 with 8:05 left. The Golden Rams would not allow SU to get any closer than six points in the final 6:37 of action.

Shippensburg will travel Saturday to Cheyney for a 3 p.m. tipoff against the Wolves.