WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball team limited West Chester to 34.0 percent shooting and held the home team without a field goal for the final 5:06 on Saturday but could not overcome the Golden Rams, falling 56-52 in a pivotal PSAC Eastern Division matchup from Hollinger Field House.
 
Shippensburg (12-9, 8-9 PSAC) drew within one point of the lead with 2:45 remaining in the contest after a pair of free throws by freshman Justin McCarthur. However, it would be as close as the Raiders would get, as West Chester (13-11, 11-7) closed the game on a 6-3 run and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
 
McCarthur scored a game-high 16 points to go along with three assists and three rebounds while junior Jay Hardy had 11 points including a 3-of-6 mark from three-point range.
 
The Golden Rams led by as many as 15 points after a 10-0 run made the score 28-13 with 5:53 left in the opening frame. At halftime, WCU led 34-24.
 
Shippensburg steadily trimmed its deficit after West Chester went on a 0-of-10 shooting skid to begin the second half.
 
The Raiders entered the game with the fourth-best three-point field goal defense in Division II and held true to form, limiting WCU to 3-of-17 (17.6 percent) from long range.
 
West Chester held the advantage in rebounding (39-29), turnovers (18-16) and bench points (17-6).
 
Sophomore Abe Massaley totaled seven points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
 
Senior Dylan Edgar and freshman Dustin Sleva had six points apiece while Edgar added five rebounds.
 
Edgar found himself in early foul trouble for the second-consecutive game as he had two fouls in the first 2:59 and played just five minutes in the first half.
 
The Raiders were held to 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from the free-throw line while WCU was 19-of-28 (67.9 percent).
 
Shippensburg travels to Mansfield Wednesday to take on the Mountaineers at 7:30 p.m.