YORK, Pa. – The Albright men's basketball team (10-12, 3-8 MAC Commonwealth) squared off against York College (13-9, 6-5 MAC Commonwealth) for the second of two meetings this season on Wednesday (Feb. 7) evening. The Lions picked up an impressive road win over the Spartans winning tonight 68-61.
The win tonight snaps a six-game losing streak overall and a four-game losing streak to York. Additionally, Albright won their 10
th game of the season tonight earning their first 10-win season since the 2021-22 season.
Tonight's win also marks the first MAC Commonwealth road victory of the season for Albright.
Albright won tonight in comeback fashion erasing a six-point halftime deficit. The Lions closed the game on a 19-5 run over the last 7:34 of the game. The defense was stifling down the stretch for Albright holding York to 1-7 shooting over the last six minuets of the game. Over that same stretch, the Lions forced York into seven turnovers.
Chris Kouemi dropped 19 points on 50% shooting from the floor. Koeumi played 36 minutes and was exceptional on both ends of the floor. The Albright big man hauled in seven rebounds to go along with two steals and an assist.
Robert Mangum was second on the team in scoring tonight going for 14 points and nine rebounds. Mangum also shot 50% from the floor including two made threes. The graduate student forward added four assists and two steals to his overall stat line tonight.
York led 33-27 after 20 minutes of play. The Spartans looked poised for the home win but Albright had other ideas.
The Lions began to climb back into the game throughout the second half. Kouemi got the Lions within three at 58-55 on a layup assisted by Mangum. Mangum then took matters into his own hands making a floating jump shot in the lane to put Albright up 61-60 and ultimately for good.
After a York missed layup on the ensuing possession,
Eric Chamberlain found a streaking
Joey Callahan down the floor who made a layup giving Albright a 63-60 lead. Kouemi delivered the final blow as he made a jump shot with just over a minute left in the game to put the Spartans away, leading 65-60. Albright hit their free throws late to pick up the huge road win over York 68-61.
Chamberlain rounded out the Lions in double figures scoring 12 points. Chamberlain wreaked havoc on the defensive end of the floor all night finishing with five steals, his most in a game since the second game of the season against Marymount. The guard added five rebounds and three assists in an all-around complete game.
Joey Callahan earned his first start of his career tonight tallying five points, three assists and a steal.
Albright held York to 38% shooting from the floor in a complete defensive team effort. York committed 15 turnovers to just seven turnovers for the Lions. Additionally, Albright held the advantage in fast break points, points in the paint and points off of turnovers.
Up Next:
The Lions will remain on the road for their next game coming this Saturday, February 10 against Stevenson. The game will start at 3:00 p.m. from Owings Mills, Pa.
