EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball team returned to action after a long layoff and engaged in a back-and-forth battle with longtime rival East Stroudsburg, but the Raiders fell late at the hands of the Warriors, 90-79, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup from Koehler Fieldhouse.
 
Shippensburg (8-3, 4-2) and East Stroudsburg (9-2, 6-1) played a tight match all game long, combining for 14 ties and 16 lead changes. The Raiders led by as many as nine points in the first half, with the game eventually becoming tied, 76-76, entering the final four minutes of play.
 
ESU closed the game on a 14-3 run, making 8-of-9 free throws in the final minutes to clinch the victory. SU was within five points, 83-78, with 2:05 remaining.
 
Senior Dustin Sleva totaled his ninth double-double of the season with 23 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-17 shooting. Sleva also had three assists and tied a career high with three blocks. It is his 52nd consecutive game posting double figures.
 
Senior Justin McCarthur delivered 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point range. McCarthur was 8-of-10 from the free-throw line and had four assists. It is his 15th straight game posting double figures.
 
Senior Clay Conner added 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting, making 3-of-5 from three-point range. Conner was 3-of-4 at the free-throw line and had two assists.
 
Junior Antonio Kellem and sophomore Na'Quan Council each scored eight points – with Council's production being his most in a game as a Raider.
 
Sophomore John Castello was limited to just 13 minutes because of foul trouble, but managed three points and seven rebounds. Juniors Manny Span and Joe Marshall helped shoulder the load; Span had five rebounds and two steals, while Marshall scored two points.
 
Shippensburg hosts Millersville at 3 p.m. Saturday from Heiges Field House.