The Shippensburg University men's basketball team overcame an 11-point first-half deficit on Saturday and closed with a 17-7 run over the final 8:36 to defeat host Wilmington (Del.), 77-69, in a non-conference matchup from the WU Athletics Complex.
 
Shippensburg (3-1) scored 50 points in the paint, posted a 22-2 advantage in second-chance points, and out-rebounded the hosts by a 48-26 margin to overcome 19-percent (4-of-21) shooting from three-point range and 60 percent (9-of-15) shooting from the free-throw line. SU also had 18 assists compared to just 10 turnovers.
 
Wilmington (0-4), playing its second game in three days after losing 98-87 at Millersville on Thursday night, raced out to a 15-4 advantage over the first six minutes and led the entire first half. The Wildcats shot 47 percent from the field, including 50 percent (7-of-14) from three-point range in the first half, but made just three field goals over the final eight minutes.  
 
Senior John Castello paced the Raiders with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 4-of-4 at the free-throw line. Castello added seven rebounds, two assists and a block. It is his ninth career 20-point game.
 
Sophomore Luke Nedrow scored 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Redshirt-sophomore Dom Sleva was key off the bench, scoring 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds. Junior Kiyon Hardy had seven points, six rebounds and an assist off the bench.
 
Sophomore Carlos Carter scored nine points, grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds, and handed out a career-high four assists in 30 valuable minutes on the floor. Junior Jake Biss had nine points, six assists, three rebounds, and a career-high four steals.
 
Senior Lamar Talley scored five points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had two assists without committing a turnover.
 
Wilmington got a game-high 24 points from Jermaine Head to lead three Wildcats in double figures. Tyler Norwood had 12 points and a game-high seven assists.
 
Shippensburg hosts Dickinson at 3 p.m. Tuesday from Heiges Field House.