GRANTHAM, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball team locked down in crunch time and came away with a 59-48 victory over Messiah in a defensive slugfest at Hitchcock Arena on Tuesday night, Nov. 22.

Zegary Scott III and Chris Haynes each finished with a game-high 15 points, while Chase Robinson netted 10 points off the bench. Nate Curry and Lance Douglas added seven points apiece and Alex Leiba grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

The low-scoring affair remained tight well into the second half, with the Falcons (4-2) clinging to a 41-40 lead with 8:24 left to play but a Robinson 3-pointer on the next trip down the floor sparked a quick 8-0 run that included a Haynes triple and a driving layup from Scott that gave the Lions (3-2) a 48-41 advantage with 6:21 remaining.

After a pair of Messiah free throws cut the deficit to five, Penn State Harrisburg's defense kept the home team off the board for 4:40 of the remaining 5:20 and used a layup from Haynes and seven free throws in the minute and change to create separation and seal the hard-fought win.

Robinson beat the first-half buzzer with an off-balance baseline scoop to cap a 13-4 run that gave the Lions a 28-24 advantage at the break following an opening half that saw the Falcons hold the advantage for more than 10 minutes of action. 

NOTABLES

- Messiah's 48 points were the fewest for an opposing team against the Lions this season.

- The Lions overcame a rough shooting night (37.9 percent from the floor) to earn the win.

- Penn State Harrisburg shot just 26.3 percent from beyond the arc, while Messiah managed just 24 percent from distance.

- The Lions forced 17 Messiah turnovers, scoring 12 points off of them.

- The Falcons won the rebounding battle 37-33.

- Scott shot 70 percent from the field to tally 15 points. He also grabbed four rebounds.

- Haynes finished with 15 points, three assists, and a pair of steals.

- Robinson went 4-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-2 from 3-point range to net 10 points off the bench.

- Douglas added seven points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

- Isaiah Eggleston chipped in with six rebounds to go along with four points off the bench.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions return to the Capital Union Building to host Neumann on Monday night, Nov. 28. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED

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