The Shippensburg University men's basketball team erased a 21-point deficit in the second half Wednesday to take a one-point lead with 2:06 to go, but home-standing East Stroudsburg countered with a quick surge and made free throws late to claim a 91-87 victory over the Raiders in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup from Koehler Fieldhouse.
 
Shippensburg (17-6, 11-4 PSAC) dropped to third place in the Eastern Division, with East Stroudsburg (14-6, 11-3) moving into second place behind first-place West Chester (18-5, 13-2). All three teams are at least two games ahead of fourth-place Millersville (13-9, 9-6); the Top 6 teams from the East qualify for the playoffs at season's end.
 
The Raiders led by as many as 11 points in the first half and took a two-point lead (39-37) into the intermission. The Warriors went nuclear to start the second half, coming out of halftime on a 19-7 run in the first 4:08 to take a 10-point lead, and later unfurled a 22-10 run to lead by 21 points, 80-59, with 8:55 remaining.
 
Over the next 6:49, Shippensburg unleashed fury in the form of a 24-2 run to not only erase its 21-point deficit but to gain a one-point lead entering the final two minutes. ESU immediately countered SU's go-ahead jumper with a transition lay-up, however, and then proceeded to intercept the ensuing in-bounds pass – which led to a pair of successful free throws and a three-point East Stroudsburg lead.
 
With 1:16 left, the Raiders missed a potential game-tying three-pointer, and the Warriors were able to clinch the victory by making five of their next six free-throw attempts down the stretch.
 
Senior Antonio Kellem scored 25 points, making three three-pointers and going 4-of-7 at the free-throw line. Kellem posted his ninth 20-point game of the season (second straight) and added five rebounds while equaling a career high with two blocked shots.
 
Sophomore Jake Biss scored 23 points – the second-best single-game output of his career, making three three-pointers and handing out four assists. In two games against the Warriors this season, Biss totaled 53 points.
 
Off the bench, junior Daylon Carter scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and added two rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes. Carter finished just one point shy of his career high and posted double figures for the third time in his career.
 
Redshirt-senior Manny Span had seven points, eight rebounds and two assists without a turnover in 19 minutes. Six of Span's eight rebounds were on the offensive glass. Junior John Castello finished with four points and eight rebounds.
 
Redshirt-freshman Dom Sleva scrapped his way to five points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals before fouling out in the final minute. Freshman Carlos Carter made 2-of-3 from the field for four points and junior Lamar Talley hit a three-pointer.
 
For the Warriors, Ryan Smith scored 28 points, shooting 9-of-12 from the field and also making 9-of-12 at the free-throw line. Josh Williams had 22 points, 14 rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks on 10-of-17 shooting.
 
After committing a season-high 21 turnovers compared to just 11 assists in the first meeting of the season between the two teams, Shippensburg committed just 12 turnovers and had 13 assists Wednesday night.
 
The Raiders fell to 5-3 in games this season decided by six points or less. SU also lost by four points at Bowie State and suffered a one-point setback at Lock Haven. The team is now 14-4 this season when leading at the half.

UP NEXT: Wednesday, 8 p.m. vs. Millersville.