Box Score

The Shippensburg University men's basketball team could not overcome a double-digit halftime deficit as it dropped a 77-67 road decision to Wilmington (Del.) on New Year's Eve.

Shippensburg (1-9) got 25 points from sophomore Joe Lococo, who led all scorers in Tuesday's game. Lococo was 9-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, and also led the Raiders with seven rebounds and three assists. It is the fifth time this season he has scored at least 25 points in a game.

Freshman Abe Massaley scored 18 points and provided most of his production from the free-throw line, as he was 14-of-16 from the charity stripe.

Wilmington (6-8) had four of its five starters finish in double figures and out-rebounded the Raiders by a 44-31 margin. It was WU's third victory over a PSAC East opponent this season, as the Wildcats also have recorded victories over Millersville (76-72) and Kutztown (76-70).

The game began to sway in Wilmington's favor in the final eight minutes of the first half. With the score tied 23-23 with 7:39 left before intermission, the home-standing Wildcats closed the frame on a 19-6 run to hold a double-digit lead at the intermission.

Thirteen of Wilmington's 19 points during the run were scored by reserve guard Shaq Monroe-Gaskins, who was 5-for-7 down the first-half stretch and sank three 3-pointers – including one with the shot clock expiring at 7:03 that started the Wildcat run.

In the second half, SU got within seven points with 10:13 to play before the Wildcats countered with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes that stretched the home-team advantage to 17 points.

All eight players that got on the court for Shippensburg scored at least two points, including six for sophomore Jay Hardy and the first five points in the career of freshman Keelan Adams. Massaley and Hardy had three steals, while Adams blocked two shots.

Shippensburg returns to action Friday at 3 p.m. when it hosts California (Pa.) in a PSAC crossover contest inside Heiges Field House.