Men's Basketball Downs PSU Hazleton in Nailbiter, 81-78

HAZLETON, PA (February 5, 2022) - Hazleton suffered their second straight one-possession loss on Tuesday night, falling to Penn State Lehigh Valley by the score of 81-78. 

Another back and forth contest in the PSUAC saw Hazleton and Lehigh Valley trade shots all night. Hazleton battled back from a six point deficit midway through the opening half to lead by five points with four minutes to play, until Lehigh Valley sprung to life out of a timeout with their patented fast-break offense. The visitors proceeded on a 12-2 run in closing minutes, leaving Hazleton trailing 38-33 at the close of the first period. 

That run continued after the half time break, and Lehigh Valley opened up a 15 point cushion five minutes into the second period. Facing their largest deficit of the night, Hazleton found a response from a wide range of players contributing off the Nittany Lion bench. Despite the outpouring of offense from the Hazleton, Lehigh Valley weathered the storm and kept their offense in tact, tallying 43 points of their own in the second half to maintain a slim lead by the end of the game. Hazleton got one last chance opportunity, turning over Lehigh Valley on an inbounds play with four seconds to play. Hazleton got the steal and hurled up a potential game-tying triple, but the ball ticked off the rim, falling to the floor with time expired. 

Three Lehigh Valley players were in Double Digits led by Tyriek Goss with 29 points, Chris Brown with 24 points and Demond Farley with 10 points.

Lehigh Valley will welcome top-ranked Penn State Wilkes Barre this Saturday at 8 PM at Stabler Arena, the team will also honor senior Demond Farley.

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