Box Score
LANCASTER, Pa – Led by a hot shooting performance by Matt Ashcroft, men's basketball (6-3) defeated Lancaster Bible College (4-7) by the score of 80-60 in a non-conference contest on Monday afternoon at the Horst Athletic Center.
After a season-low two points in their last game against Kean University, Ashcroft bounced back in a big way as he shot 9 for 12 from the field and 5 for 7 from three-point range to finish with a game-high 23 points. The senior guard also dished six assists and grabbed four rebounds on the day to complete a great all-around effort.
The Red & White wasted no time jumping on the host Chargers. Ashcroft's second three-pointer of the game gave the visitors a 10-0 lead with 15:06 to play in the first half. Albright gradually built on their lead with efficient shooting and increased their lead to as much as 18 on a layup by Shane Irwin with 57 seconds to play in the half. The Red & White took a 37-22 lead into the break due in large part to shooting 50% from the field in the opening frame.
Albright wouldn't allow Lancaster Bible to get much closer in the second half and continued to expand on their advantage. They held a double-digit lead throughout the second half of play and increased the lead to 20 on a three-pointer by Cornell Mickens with just 9:07 to go in the contest. The Red & White didn't relent the rest of the way in taking the victory.
Joining Ashcroft in double figures were Derek Hall, Mickens and Irwin. Hall notched 15 points and snatched eight rebounds while Irwin was close behind as he recorded 14 points and eight rebounds of his own. Mickens was once again extremely productive off bench and ended the game with 14 points, four rebounds and three blocks. Point guard Jeff Sparrow wreaked havoc time and time again on the defensive end and finished with a game-high five steals.
Even though they committed 17 turnovers, Albright shot 8 for 17 from three-point range (47.1%) and 34 for 63 overall (54%). They also outrebounded the Chargers 29 to 21.
The host Chargers were led by Kevin Keltner, who recorded a team-high 21 points on 8 for 13 shooting to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Keltner was the only Charger to finish in double figures on the afternoon. Erich Graybill was next in the scoring column for Lancaster Bible with eight points.
Men's basketball will return to action after the Christmas holiday. They will face John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Bollman Center on December 29th as part of the Reading Crowne Plaza New Year's Tournament.
