Box Score

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - In their closest contest to date, the Lions (7-1) managed to sneak by the host Monarchs of King's College (2-7) in the final seconds to claim a 71-70 non-conference win, their second of the year over the Monarchs, Saturday afternoon at Scandlon Gymnasium.

The victory which gave the Lions a 1-1 record at the two day tournament saw juniors Matt Ashcroft and Zac Shaeffer combine for 41 points respectively. However their efforts were matched by five Monarchs players who record double-figures as well.

Leading the home team was Kyle Stackhouse with 18 points on the day. Mike Wagner was right behind him with 14 points, followed by a 12 point showing from Jim Schule and Kevin Conroy. Dan Maguschak came off the bench for the Monarchs and tallied 10 points.

Anyone watching Saturday's consolation game was treated to quite a show as Albright and King's exchanged control of the scoreboard a total of seven times, while also finding themselves even an additional six times.

For the red and white, besides Shaeffer and Ashcroft only five other players record baskets on Saturday. Sophomore Derek Hall finished third on the team in scoring with nine points. Cornell Mickens and Jeff Sparrow each recorded seven points, and Shane Irwin walked away with five. Justin Plummer nailed one field goal against the Monarchs to end the afternoon with two points.

Ashcroft and Irwin were also the Lion's top rebounders totaling five boards each. In the assists column Shaeffer and senior Adam Van Zelst led the team with four. Plummer was the games top defensive player totaling three steals in 26 minutes of playing time, along with King's Jim Schule.

Through the final five minutes of play, King's had held a solid lead over the Lions. With 5:01 left to go the Monarchs earned their largest lead of the final half on a jumper from Schule which made it 69-63.

Albright then cut that lead in half with an Ashcroft trademark 3-pionter with 4:12 left on the clock. King's lead was then cut to one on back-to-back free throws from Shaeffer. On their next possession the Conroy missed both of his free throw opportunities which gave Albright the window they were looking for.

Closing the window on the King's victory was Shaeffer who drove to the basket for the easy lay-up. Following the Ashcroft three, Shaeffer recorded the Lions final five points to end the afternoon. His final basketball of the day was a free throw with 1:51 left in the contest.

King's and Albright traded possessions, before the Monarchs brought the game to within one as Conroy went 1-for-2 at the line. Proving to be the games deciding play, King's drove to the basket after an Albright turnover. Looking as if though Monarchs were going to steal the win, Irwin came up with a huge block to knock the ball away just as time expired to secure the 71-70 win.

Prior to the melee that was the last five minutes, Albright held a solid lead over the Monarchs at the start of the second half. After a 34-34 tie to end the first half, the Lions jumped out to a very quick 41-34 lead in the first two minutes of play.

However King's answered right back with a run of their own, a 14-2 run to be exact which made it 48-43 in favor of the home team. Albright did manage to even the score for the fifth time of the afternoon on 3-pointer and lay-up from Ashcroft (48-48).

From there the two teams would exchange control of the scoreboard throughout the midway point and through the final moments of the contest.

For his efforts Ashcroft was named to the All-Tournament team along with Stackhouse from King's.

Men's Basketball returns to action next Saturday when they host Lancaster Bible College at noon in the Bollman Center.