Wesleyan (Conn.) 81, Penn State Harrisburg 68
Harrisburg Starters
Baylor-Carroll, Nelson, Scott, Alliyu, Williams
Wesleyan Starters
Hutcherson, Bonner, Walker, Delollo, James
How It Happened
The length and 3-point shooting prowess of Wesleyan (Conn.), an NCAA Tournament team a year ago, proved too much for Penn State Harrisburg in an 81-68 loss in the team's opening contest of the 2018 HoopMIA D3 Holiday Shootout on the campus of Barry University in Miami, Fla. on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18.
Kahlil Williams recorded team highs of 19 points and six rebounds, while Donyae Baylor-Carroll added 15 tallies and four boards. Chris Bing was the third Blue & White player to reach the double-digit scoring mark with 11 off the bench.
The Lions (8-2) hung tough to begin the game, holding the lead on three separate occasions. Williams opened the contest with an old-fashioned 3-point play before Baylor-Carroll's jumper from beyond the arc put Harrisburg ahead 8-7 at the 15:32 mark. The Blue & White held what proved to be its last advantage of the day at 12-11 following a baseline layup by Bing two minutes later.
Momentum shifted when the Cardinals (6-3) put together a 10-3 run midway through the first half to stretch what was a slim 19-15 lead to 29-18 with 9:19 left before the break. The teams traded baskets for much of the remainder of the half and Wesleyan (Conn.) led by a 42-32 margin heading into the locker room.
The Cardinals extended their lead to as much as 17 points midway through the second half but the Blue & White hung around and eventually clawed back to within single digits when Baylor-Carroll knocked down a pair from the foul line and cut the deficit to 74-66 with 4:52 left to play.
Harrisburg got the ball back with a chance to do further damage but a missed free throw combined with the Cardinals' 13th 3-pointer of the game on their next trip down the court proved a dagger the Lions were unable to overcome in the closing minutes.
Inside the Numbers
- The defeat ended Penn State Harrisburg's recent five-game winning streak.
- Wesleyan (Conn.) shot 46.6 percent from the floor, while the Lions managed a 41 percent clip from the field.
- The Cardinals shot a stout 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from 3-point range. Harrisburg shot a respectable 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from distance.
- WU won the rebounding battle 40-35.
- Each team shot 17 free throws, with the Cardinals making 14 and the Blue & White converting 11.
- The Lions bench outscored the Wesleyan (Conn.) reserves 30-13.
- The Cardinals racked up 17 fastbreak points and 13 points off turnovers.
- Kahlil Williams finished with a team-high 19 points and six rebounds for Penn State Harrisburg.
- Donyae Baylor-Carroll posted 15 points, four boards, one steal and one assist.
- Chris Bing netted 11 and grabbed five rebounds in 18 minutes of action.
- Keenan Wise finished with six points, four boards and two assists, while Brandon Coleman added seven tallies.
- Pedro Rodriguez knocked down a pair of 3-balls to record six points.
- Austin Hutchenson scored a game-best 22 points for Wesleyan (Conn.).
Who's Next?
The Lions wrap up their time in the Sunshine State when they face Carthage on Wednesday night, Dec. 19. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
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