MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - The Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball team is the top seed in the conference and will be hosting the 2011 NEAC Championship Tournament this weekend. The Nittany Lions will have a first round bye and will play the winner for the (#4) Gallaudet University/(#5) Morrisville State game.
Penn State Harrisburg split meetings with Gallaudet University, winning the first, 82-78, and losing the second, 64-68. In the first match-up, the Lions shot 50.0% from the floor and turned the ball over just 13 times all game. Gallaudet played a strong game, but a few extra rebounds for the Lions and a strong shooting effort gave Penn State Harrisburg the upper hand.
Despite a dismal shooting effort from the Bison, Gallaudet was able to pull out a victory in the second regular season game against Penn State Harrisburg. The Bison grabbed 49 rebounds to the Lions 35. Both conference opponents turned the ball over in excess of 20 possessions but Gallaudet was able to score 22 points off of turnovers.
The Lions beat the Mustangs at home, 94-85, on January 16th. David Reisinger (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin East) had a career-high day with 25 points to lead the Lions to their 7th NEAC win. It was the Nittany Lions shooting effort that propelled them to victory as they shot 58.5% from the floor and 57.8% from the 3-point arc.
Morrisville State was able to catch the Lions off guard during their second meeting to go 1-1 in regular season with Penn State Harrisburg. The Mustangs gained a 10-point lead at halftime and the Lions were never able to make a comeback. Morrisville State outrebounded the Lions 45-33 giving them numerous second chance opportunities that led to the Lions demise.
The NEAC Champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. If the Nittany Lions win, it will be a first in Penn State Harrisburg school history.