Men's Basketball Downs PSU Brandywine, 80-76, in Overtime Thriller

MEDIA, PA (Feb. 8, 2019) - Penn State Lehigh Valley outlasted Penn State Brandywine by a score of 80-76 in overtime to claim a Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball victory and spoil the Lions' Senior Night on Friday evening in Media, PA. With the win, Lehigh Valley improves to 7-11 overall and 6-9 in PSUAC play.

Brandywine led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but Lehigh Valley rallied to tie the score at 67-67 with 27 seconds left in regulation as Jeremiah Jenkins' layup sent the game to overtime.

The teams traded baskets in the extra session before, with Brandywine in front by two, Jenkins buried a three-pointer to give Lehigh Valley its first lead of the night at 74-73. Brandywine answered with a triple for the Lions, but Lehigh Valley countered with another three, taking the lead for good with 27 seconds to play. Lehigh Valley sank 1-of-2 free throws with four seconds left to secure the victory.

Brandywine opened the game with eight-straight points and extended its lead to 10 points by the midway point of the first half. Lehigh Valley closed within two, but Brandywine responded by reeling off 13 of the next 15 points, swelling the lead to double figures.

Lehigh Valley rallied again, using a 14-4 spurt to get within one before Brandywine layup sent the home team into the half with a 35-32 lead.

Brandywine put together seven-straight points, the last of which came on a Brandywine three-pointer, to move the lead to 54-42 with 11:05 to play; however, Lehigh Valley steadily chipped away, getting within six with 4:16 to go.

A Brandywine layup extended the Lions' lead to 65-57, but Brandywine was limited to just two points, on a pair of free throws with 1:13 to play, the rest of the way as Lehigh Valley completed its comeback to send the game to overtime.

Jenkins led Lehigh Valley with 28 points. Sophomore Eric Johnson had a season-high 21 points and freshman Brandon Purrone added 11 points. 

Brandywine, which shot 44 percent from the field and yielded 37 percent shooting to Lehigh Valley, was doomed by 28 turnovers, with 19 coming during the final 25 minutes.

Lehigh Valley will look to continue their win streak when they travel to East leading PSU Wilkes Barre on Sunday for a 3 PM tip-off.

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