No Hangover For Men's Basketball In Return to Action

No Hangover For Men's Basketball In Return to Action

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Despite a nearly month-long layoff, there was no hangover for Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team, as the Lions cruised to a decisive 87-53 conference victory at United East foe Gallaudet on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 8.  

 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Penn State Harrisburg (10-1, 3-0 United East) raced out to a 20-1 lead and never looked back in a rout of Gallaudet (1-9, 1-2 United East) on Saturday afternoon. Donyae Baylor-Carroll netted a team-high 19 points, while Dylan Daniels posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Brandon Coleman (15) and Zegary Scott III (11) also reached the double-digit scoring mark in the victory.  

 

During the opening run that set the tone for the rest of the contest, Baylor-Carroll scorched the net with four effortless jumpers from beyond the arc. Daniels converted a pair of layups, Coleman buried an early 3-ball, and Chris Haynes added a free throw to cap the Lions' hot start. 

 

The Blue & White put together another impressive start midway through the first half, this one of the 15-2 variety. Pedro Rodriguez started the stretch with a layup and capped it with his second of two triples. In between, Coleman added five points, Haynes knocked down a trey, and Malik Holland connectd on a midrange jumper.  

 

The visitors grabbed their largest lead of the first half following the combination of a Nate Curry jump shot and simultaneous foul away from the ball that resulted in Josh Martin hitting a free throw to make it 47-13 at the 3:35 mark. Scott connected on a straightaway 3-pointer on the team's final possession of the first half to give Penn State Harrisburg a 52-20 lead heading into the break. 

 

Scott scored four straight for the Lions to begin the second half and following contributions from Curry, Coleman, Daniels, and Baylor-Carroll, a pair of Rodriguez free throws stretched the advantage to 40-plus for the first time with 12:01 remaining.  

 

The bench began to empty for the Blue & White but not before Baylor-Carroll put an exclamation point on his day by pulling up from 30 feet and casually splashing his fifth 3-ball of the afternoon with less than five minutes to play. Robby Bobeck and Lance Douglas combined to net Penn State Harrisburg's final six points and put a bow on the team's third conference win of the season.  

 

NOTABLES 

- The Lions assisted on 21 consecutive field goals to begin the game, including all 20 made field goals in the first half. 

- Penn State Harrisburg shot 51.5 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from 3-point range.  

- The Blue & White finished with a slight 40-39 edge on the glass.  

- The visitors forced 18 turnovers and scored 26 points off Gallaudet miscues. 

- The Penn State Harrisburg bench outscored the Bison reserves 26-2. 

Donyae Baylor-Carroll finished one assist shy of a double-double with a team-high 19 points and nine dimes. He knocked down five triples on the day. 

Dylan Daniels racked up his seventh double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocks.  

Brandon Coleman stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, seven boards, four assists, one steal, and a block.   

- Zegary Scott III netted 11 points, dished out seven assists, and grabbed six rebounds.  

Nate Curry finished with six points, six boards, and a game-high four steals. 

Pedro Rodriguez was strong off the bench to the tune of nine points and three rebounds.  

Josh Martin added five points and four boards in a reserve role. 

- Gallaudet's Rory Lewis scored a game-high 26 points in a losing effort.  

 

WHO'S NEXT? 

The Lions return to action when they travel to Penn State Berks for another conference tilt on Tuesday night, Jan. 11. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. 

 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.