Elizabethtown, PA – Penn State Harrisburg could not hold off a strong second half push by the Blue Jays and fell by one point. The Lions got a strong effort for Freshman Anthony Bennett Jr. who scored 21 points in his first career start. Gbolahan Alliyu also contributed 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Elizabethtown 62 vs Penn State Harrisburg 61
Penn State Harrisburg Starters:
Davis Luethke, Anthony Bennett Jr, Trent Thomas, Brandon Coleman, and Gbolahan Alliyu,
Elizabethtown Starters:
Moffatt, Thomas, Pastore, Greene, and DuBois
Records:
Penn State Harrisburg: 4-5 (1-3 CAC)
Elizabethtown: 3-5 (0-1 Landmark)
Inside The Stats:
Field Goals: Penn State Harrisburg (21-61) vs. Elizabethtown (22-56)
Assists: Harrisburg (11) vs. Elizabethtown (17)
Turnovers: Harrisburg (16) vs. Elizabethtown (15)
Rebounds: Harrisburg (44) vs. Elizabethtown (38)
How it Happened:
Penn State Harrisburg opened the game on an 11-2 run, with three-pointers from Davis Luethke, Anthony Bennett Jr., and Trent Thomas and punctuated by a dunk from Gbolahan Alliyu. The Blue Jays would respond and close within one point, until Kahlil Williams knocked down a jump shot and drew a foul on the next possession knocking down two free throws. Both teams would trade baskets for the rest of the half, with Harrisburg holding a 37-31 lead at halftime.
Elizabethtown would open the second half on an 11-3 run to recapture the lead. Back-to-back lay ups from Alliyu and Thomas would give Harrisburg back the lead, 44-42. However, the Blue Jays would answer with another 11-3 run, building a seven-point lead. Keenan Wise cut the lead to three when he knocked down a three-pointer with 2:37 remaining. The Lions would not be able to draw any closer as the Blue Jays consistently hit free throws. Bennett Jr. would hit a deep three pointer with seconds remaining to get within a point, but as time expired as Harrisburg fell 62-61.
Impact Performance:
Gbolahan Alliyu- 11 Points and 15 Rebounds
Anthony Bennett Jr.- 21 Points and 7 Rebounds
What's Next:
Penn State Harrisburg will take a short break for Christmas before heading to Albright College for its Holiday Tournament on December 29th when they will face Host Albright in the first round