Box Score

READING, Pa. – Despite suffering a 68-64 setback to Lebanon Valley (17-6/8-4 Commonwealth), senior guard Zac Shaeffer has something to truly smile about, as he in front of a home crowd became the new all-time career 3-point leader at Albright College (15-8/7-5 Commonwealth). Shaeffer's record setting number of 211 3-pointers broke the original record of 210 set by Pat Pruitt '92 in 1992. 

Shaeffer's afternoon consisted of a team-high 20 points, with 12 of those points coming from behind the 3-point arc. The hot shooter, nailed the record setting three with less than second to play in the game to keep Albright to within two of their conference rivals. From the field he was 7-for-21, and was 2-for-2 at the line. He also dished out four assists in 32 minutes of action.

Now going into the final week of regular season play, Shaeffer's all-time numbers still remain some of the best in the program's illustrious history. From behind the arc, Shaeffer is now 211-for-549 (.384), which ranks him fifth all-time. At the line his career free throw percentage of 81.1% (249-307) makes him the second best free throw shooter in history behind, Pruitt who completed his career shooting 86.7% (261-301).

With Saturday's loss, the Lions fall into a two-way tie for third in the conference standings, with Elizabethtown College dropping a 65-62 decision to Widener. The Dutchmen now control their own destiny as the number two team in the conference. Alvernia remains the top team in the Commonwealth after their 20-point win over Lycoming. Elizabethtown and Lebanon Valley still have to face each other on Tuesday, while the Lions will travel to Alvernia.

Pacing the Dutchmen to their seventh straight victory was Anthony Trautman who was red hot all afternoon, scoring a game-high 35 points. From the field Trautman was 13-for-16, which included five three's, while at the line he went 4-for-5. Of the 68 points scored in the Dutchmen's win, only two belonged to the bench. Danny Brooks finished second on the team in scoring with 14 points, followed by Joe Meehan who had nine. Jordan Stewart despite pulling down 12 rebounds, had just six points and Grant Becker totaled a mere two points.

For the Lions, Derek Hall struggled early, but managed to find his rhythm late in the game to finish with 15 points and 14 rebounds. He also tallied three blocks for the fourth straight game. Fellow senior Matt Ashcroft came out firing in the first half, but after the break disappeared offensively to end the game with six points. Shane Irwin also put up six points, while Jeff Sparrow combined for five points, five boards, and three assists in a game-high 37 minutes of playing time.

Albright controlled the lead at the break going into the locker room with a 29-28 lead. After the intermission, the Lions and Dutchmen exchanged baskets throughout the final 20 minutes. With less than a minute left in regulation, Lebanon Valley was holding a slim two point lead after Shaeffer's record setting three.

Unfortunately back-to-back free throws from Stewart pushed the Dutchmen's lead back to four. Albright was quick to respond in the form of an Irwin jumper with 14 seconds left on the clock, but with a pair of Trautman's free throws Lebanon Valley made it a two possession game again.

The Lions turned to Shaeffer for the three in the closing seconds, but it hit off the back of the rim. Sparrow went up for the putback, but his shot also fell just short and with a Meehan defensive rebound secured the Dutchmen's win.

As a team, the Lions shot 40% on the night, while Lebanon Valley combined for 43.3% shooting from the floor. From behind the arc Trautman fueled the Dutchmen's 35.7% shooting having made all five their chances. Albright shot 24% on the night with Ashcroft scoring the only other 3-pointers. At the line, Albright held a 66.7% to 61.1% advantage over the conference rivals. On the glass the Lions were +2 against the Dutchmen (38-36).

Prior to the start of Saturday's contest, Albright College honored the three senior members in Shaeffer, Ashcroft, and Sparrow who played their final game in the Bollman Center.

Men's basketball will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Alvernia University for a huge conference match-up. Start time is scheduled for 8 p.m.