Box Score
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Led by a dominating game on the glass from
Shane Irwin and a game-high 20 points from
Matt Ashcroft, men's basketball (3-2, 1-1 Commonwealth) took home its first conference victory of the season with a 64-56 win over Lycoming College (5-2, 0-2) Saturday afternoon at Lamade Gymnasium.
Irwin, who recorded a career-high 17 rebounds in Albright's loss to Alvernia on Wednesday, pulled down a new career high of 20 rebounds versus the Warriors. 18 of his rebounds were on the defensive end as he helped Albright dominate Lycoming in the rebounding department by a 55 to 37 advantage. His 20 rebounds were three short of tying the single-game record at Albright. The junior forward also posted eight points as well as five assists.
Ashcroft shot 6 for 11 from the field, including 4 for 7 from three-point range, to lead the Lions on the offensive end. The senior guard helped spark a tremendous first half for the visitors that enabled them to go into the locker room with a 35-18 advantage after the first 20 minutes of play.
It was Albright's defense that was the major reason for Saturday's victory. The Red and White limited a high-powered Lycoming offense all game long. Lycoming was only able to shoot 33.3% from the field and 22.7% from behind the arc. Albright was not spectacular on offense either, as they shot just 22 for 61 collectively for the game. The Red and White also committed 19 turnovers to the Warriors' 11, but they were able to hold on in the end for the victory.
Albright's lead swelled to 22 with 13:30 remaining in the contest, but Lycoming clawed back slowly. The Warriors would even cut Albright's lead to as little as five with 1:44 to play on a layup by Mike Bradley. On the next possession, sophomore reserve
Tom Paul hit a huge jumper on a pass from Irwin to bring the lead back to 7, and Ashcroft and
Zac Shaeffer hit a combined six free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Paul provided a needed lift off the bench for the Lions as he deposited 11 points. Though he struggled from the field, Shaeffer was able to finish in doubles figures on the strength of a 7 for 10 effort from the foul line.
Lycoming was led by guard Jerald Williams, who finished with 12 points on the day. Ishaan Davis also finished in double figures with 10 points for the Warriors and dished five assists.
The win was the third victory at Lamade Gymnasium for Albright in the last two seasons, which includes a conference championship victory last season for the Red and White.
Men's basketball will return to action when they host Misericordia University in a non-conference game on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in the Bollman Center.
