The Shippensburg University men's basketball team was defeated in its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships First Round contest Monday night at East Stroudsburg, dropping an 87-80 decision to the Warriors in postseason action at Koehler Fieldhouse.
Shippensburg (14-15) was down by as many as 22 points in the second half, as it trailed 67-45 with 10:42 to go. The Raiders cut their deficit to as few as four points down the stretch.
East Stroudsburg (21-8) led by 18 points, 77-59, with 5:52 left. SU unleashed everything it had left – embarking on an 11-0 run to force a timeout with 2:17 to go. The Raiders forced a 10-second call after the timeout and made another basket to get within five, 77-72, with 100 seconds remaining.
It became a back-and-forth exchange of free throws for the majority of the duration. SU reduced the deficit to four, 80-76, with 49 seconds left, but ultimately could not get any closer.
The Warriors finished the game 32-of-40 (80 percent) at the free-throw line to help secure the victory. SU ended up 17-of-23 (74 percent) at the line.
Timmy Conner scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half; his total included three three-pointers.
Michael Dickson scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half; he added three assists and three steals over the final 20 minutes as well. Dickson's +13 plus/minus rating in the second half was the highest for any player from either team;
Trey Martin was +10 in the second half.
Denzel Figueroa scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Jaydon Smith finished with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Martin totaled eight points, four rebounds and two assists;
Markus Frank added eight points as well. All 10 Raiders who got in the game scored at least one point.
It was the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with each having previously won on their home floor during league play.
Monday marked the final collegiate contests for the SU senior class: Conner, Figueroa and Martin. All three Raiders played in at least 100 games during their respective careers and combined for 319 games played overall.
The Raider trio combined for 1,881 career points (Conner 777, Martin 592, Figueroa 512).
