Box Score
READING, Pa. - In one of the closest games played this season, Albright Men's Basketball (13-2/4-1 CC) managed to hold off a hungry Elizabethtown College (11-4/3-2 CC) team by just one point to take a 59-58 conference win Saturday afternoon in the Bollman Center.
Up by one with just 30 seconds to play in the contest, Albright's Zac Shaeffer went to the free throw line knowing that needed to make both shots to give his team some much needed room on the scoreboard. Showing no signs of hesitation the junior shooter made both shots to give Albright that much needed insurance.
Holding a slim three point lead the Lions looked to cage the Blue Jays. Unfortunately, Elizabethtown's Keith Fogel managed to break free and went coast-to-coast to score the lay-up to once again make it a one point game. Now with only 15 seconds left, Albright got another chance at the free throw line, but fell just short on both shots, giving the Blue Jays one last opportunity.
Following the defensive rebound after the second missed free throw, the Blue Jays looked to Joe Flanagan for the game-winning 3-pointer. His shot which hit off the back of the rim, did manage to land in the hands of Etown's own Mike Church.
Church who finished second on his team in scoring with 14 points, tried to put up the last second lay-up, but was unable to get off the game winning shot. With only two seconds left on the clock, Albright regained possession of the ball following Church's missed opportunity. Shaeffer would find the ball in his hands and what ultimately decided the game split two Blue Jay defenders who tried to foul the junior but were unable to connect on the wrist.
Elizabethtown's bench was screaming for the foul call, but as the official watched the play unfold he saw that there was no contact right as time expired, giving Albright the huge conference win.
The win which was the second straight for the Lions after suffering a tough loss to Lycoming College last Saturday was fueled by three players, Shaeffer, Matt Ashcroft and Derek Hall.
Ashcroft led Albright with a team high 15 points, with Shaeffer right behind him with 12 points of his own. Hall was the game's top rebounder pulling down a total of 11 boards in the win. Guard Adam Van Zelst was another clutch player for the Lions totaling nine points in the win, along with a team best four assists.
The hard work of Shane Irwin and Justin Plummer in the closing minutes of the second half, gave Albright the momentum they needed to preserve their slim lead over the Blue Jays.
As a whole Albright shot nearly 40% from the field and over 33% from behind the arc. At the line the Lions shot 50% and managed to lead the contest in rebounding with 45 boards.
Men's Basketball returns to action on Wednesday when they travel to Arcadia University for a 8 p.m. Commonwealth Conference game.
