Middletown, Pa - The Blue and White lost a tough game against a scrappy York team in the consolation game of the inaugural Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off Tournament presented by Hershey Park on  Sunday November 16th.  The Lions battled back multiple times in the second half, but were not able to pull off the comeback as they eventually lost 69-61.

Penn State Harrisburg, playing without three key players from last year's team, began this season looking for someone to step up and lead this young team.  It seems that they may have found this leadership from junior Arick Sodini (Manalapan, Nj. / St. John Vianney) and freshman Tariq Bennett (Philadelphia, Pa. / Milton Hershey School) who scored 14 and 12 respectively.

With both teams losing games in Saturday's first round action, Penn State Harrisburg and York (NY) were both looking to bounce back with a win.  The teams battled point for point through the first half with a lot of physical play as neither team wanted to start their season's 0-2.  The first half ended with the Cardinals leading 35-31.  12 of Sodini's team high 14 points came in the first half as the Blue and White battled back to within two with 30 seconds left to play in the first half.

The second half proved to be much of the same as each team went on runs of their own before allowing the other team to come back to keep the game close from start to finish.  The Lions battled back within one point with six minutes left to play with two free throws from Marquese Daniels (Philadelphia, Pa. / Philadelphia Electric & Technology Charter).  Unfortunely, York continued to push as they were able to convert from deep and control the glass in the final minutes and cruised to a 69-61 victory.  

This was the inaugural Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off Tournament Presented By Hersheypark.  The tournament was a huge success for everyone involved.  In Sunday's Championship game, McDaniel defeated CCNY by a score of 82-60 behind junior Tim Stewart's 20 point, 5 rebound effort. 

Following the championship game, McDaniel was crowned tournament champions and the all tournament team was selected.  The all tournament team included:

F - Arick Sodini - Penn State Harrisburg

G - Khalil Hamer - CCNY

F - Anthony Lewis - CCNY 

G - Omar St. John - York

G - Duane Echols - McDaniel

F - Tim Stewart - McDaniel

McDaniel's Tim Stewart was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off Tournament Presented By Hersheypark.  

Penn State Harrisburg (0-2) will look to turn things around on the road Wedneday the 19th at Lebanon Valley with a tip off of 8pm.