SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball team wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the East by knocking off Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference foe Lock Haven in their regular season finale Saturday afternoon at Heiges Field House, 74-65.
 
Shippensburg (18-10, 16-6 PSAC) got big contributions from its three healthy seniors in a must-win game on Senior Day. Redshirt-senior Rashon Johnson led the way, shooting 69 percent (11-of-16) from the field on his way to a game-high 26 points along with 15 boards. Johnson also held Jayy Davis, Lock Haven's leading scorer at 15 points per game, to just seven points on 2-of-11 shooting (18 percent). Davis came into Saturday's contest averaging 25 points in his last two outings.
 
Lock Haven (16-11, 12-10) led by as many as 10 points in the first half, before a 17-4 Shippensburg run late in the first that was ultimately the difference in the game. Bald Eagle forward James Price registered a double-double, totaling 18 points and 10 rebounds.
 
A nervous start by the Raiders offensively allowed the Bald Eagles to take a 20-10 edge with 7:56 remaining in the opening half. The nervousness, however, turned to desperation, and the Raiders' all-out effort on both ends of the court quickly turned the game on its head.
 
Johnson backed down his opponent for a pair of close-in baskets. Graduate Luke Nedrow continued the run with six straight points, capped by a wide-open two-handed dunk following a nice passing sequence to cut the deficit to two, 24-22.
 
Redshirt sophomore Ty Crespo then delivered a long trey to give the Raiders the lead, 27-24, with 2:55 left in the first half.
 
Lock Haven guard Dymir Montague responded with a three to once again tie the score, but the Raider momentum was now in full swing. Johnson closed the half with a tough layup through contact, resulting in 33-29 Shippensburg edge at intermission.
 
The SU lead stretched to as many as 14 points in the second half as the Raiders cruised to victory.
 
Three Raider players joined Johnson in double figures. Nedrow finished with a double-double, totaling 16 points and 16 rebounds. Senior Carlos Carter added 14 points and 8 boards, while Crespo continued to provide an offensive spark off the Ship bench, posting his third straight game of double-digit scoring (12 points).
 
The Raiders finished the regular season tied with West Chester atop the PSAC East standings, but own the tie-breaker over the Golden Rams due to their head-to-head record.
 
A loss Saturday would have plummeted the Raiders all the way down to the No. 4 seed in the East.
 
With the victory, the Raiders will host the winner of Monday's first-round matchup between Millersville and Lock Haven. Game time for the PSAC quarterfinal is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
 
PSAC Tournament Admission Info:
 
TICKETS: Adults $10 / Students $5 / PSAC Students free with ID.
(No complementary tickets except official PSAC passes)