Middletown, PA – Penn State Harrisburg won the open game of their tip-off tournament thanks to a 17 point run to open up the second half, which put the game out of reach.  Immaculate did not score in the first 9:02 of the first half.  Thanks in large part to Gbolahan Alliyu who posted 18 points, 18 rebounds and 8 blocks.  Lions also got strong offensive support from Ibn-Haneef Nelson and Anthony Bennett Jr. who each recorded 14 points.    

Penn State Harrisburg 85 vs. Immaculata 60

Penn State Harrisburg Starters: Ibn-Haneef Nelson, Davis Luethke, Trent Thomas, Gbolahan Alliyu, Kahlil Williams 

Immaculata Starters: Mike Piekarski, Jeffrey Powell-Young, Brandon McCullough, Joe McHugh, Jordan Ambrose

Records:

Penn State Harrisburg: (2-0)

Immaculata: (0-2)

Inside The Stats:

Field Goals: Penn State Harrisburg (35-68) vs. Immaculata (21-76)

Assists: Harrisburg (18) vs. Immaculata (9)

Turnovers: Harrisburg (20) vs. Immaculata (13)

Rebounds: Harrisburg (57) vs. Immaculata (41)

How it Happened:  Immaculate used hot shooting to open an early lead, knocking down 5-3 pointers in first 5 minutes of the contest.  But, the Lions would make some defensive adjustments and begin chipping into the 10 point deficit. 

Over the last 7 minutes of the first half, Harrisburg would outscore the Mighty Macs 19-6 and would take the lead on an Anthony Bennett Jr layup with just over a minute to go in the half.  The Lions would take a 39-37 lead into the locker room.

The Lions were on a statement to make a mission coming out of the half, with Trent Thompson, Ibn-Haneef Nelson and Bola knocking down shots, the team watched their lead grow.  Defensively, the Lions flew to the ball and silenced the Mighty Macs offensive attack causing most of the teams 13 turnovers in the second half alone. 

The Lions grew a 23 point lead in the first 9 minutes of the second half over a 23-2 run.  The Lions would get chances late in the half putting 11 different players in scoring opportunities.  A total of 17 different Lions would see action Saturday.  Harrisburg closed out the game strong winning by 25 over Immaculata 85-60.  This is the second straight game to open the season that the Lions have scored over 80 points.    

Impact Performance:

Gbolahan Alliyu – 18 Points, 18 Rebounds, 8 Blocks 

What's Next: 

The Nittany Lions will face Mount Union University in the Championship Game of the Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off Tournament presented by Holiday Inn Harrisburg East at 3pm.