After swapping the lead four times in the opening minutes of the contest, the Bulldogs made the first attempt to pull away using a 12-0 run midway through the period to open up a 24-15 lead. Their advantage would swell to as many as 12 before a pair of Warrior buckets just before the intermission made the score 35-27 DeSales at the half. The Bulldogs shot 48% from the field and 46% from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes, and forced Lycoming to turn the ball over nine times.
In the early part of the second half, DeSales continued their hot shooting, connecting on their first three triples of the period to extend their lead to 54-37 with 12:44 to play. The Warriors, however, were not ready to call it a night as they began chipping away at the deficit. A 10-0 run over the next three minutes pulled Lycoming within seven and ignited the home crowd.
The Bulldogs weathered the storm temporarily and maintained a 58-49 lead with 7:10 to play. But a three-pointer by Curtis Mays and three consecutive lay-ups by L.J. Huggler sparked another 10-0 run that gave the Warriors their first lead since the 12:23 mark of the first half.
With five minutes to play and a slim 59-58 lead, Lycoming’s defense took over, limiting DeSales to just six points the rest of the game. Key steals by Shaun Morris and Mays in the final minute sealed the come-from-behind victory for the Warriors.
Huggler led all players with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Morris added 16 markers and a game-high six assists. Jonathan Pribble contributed 11 points and Mays chipped in seven points. Lycoming out-rebounded the Bulldogs 38-26 in the game.
DeSales was led by Kyle Koch with 19 points and Jim Zinn with 12 points. Harry Morra came off the bench to score 10 points and grab six rebounds. Michael Venafra added seven markers and team-highs in assists with four and steals with three.
Lycoming will play again on Saturday, January 31, when they travel to Drew University for another Freedom Conference contest. DeSales also will play on Saturday, traveling to Wilkes University.
Newspaper Box Score DeSales Bulldogs vs Lycoming Warriors 1/28/04 8:00 p.m. at Lamade Gym., Williamsport, Pa. At Lamade Gym., Williamsport, Pa. LYCOMING WARRIORS 71, DESALES BULLDOGS 64 DESALES BULLDOGS (14-2, 5-1) Kyle Koch 7-10 3-3 19; Jim Zinn 3-7 4-6 12; Harry Morra 3-7 2-2 10; Michael Venafra 3-7 0-0 7; Jeff Clifford 2-7 0-0 5; David Bright 1-3 2-4 4; Drew Christman 2-5 0-0 4; Kevin Welsh 1-2 0-1 3; David Spadt 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-50 11-16 64. LYCOMING WARRIORS (13-4, 5-1) L.J. Huggler 9-11 6-8 24; Shaun Morris 6-12 3-4 16; Jonathan Pribble 4-13 2-3 11; Curtis Mays 2-6 2-2 7; Jeremiah Edison 3-3 0-0 6; Nick Myers 2-4 0-0 4; Patrick Baylor 1-1 0-0 3; Jeff Warner 0-1 0-0 0; Brad Musser 0-3 0-1 0; Scott Corrigan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-55 13-18 71. DeSales Bulldogs.............. 35 29 - 64 Lycoming Warriors............. 27 44 - 71 3-point goals-DeSales Bulldogs 9-20 (Jim Zinn 2-4; Kyle Koch 2-3; Harry Morra 2-4; Kevin Welsh 1-1; Michael Venafra 1-1; Jeff Clifford 1-3; David Spadt 0-1; Drew Christman 0-3), Lycoming Warriors 4-20 (Jonathan Pribble 1-4; Shaun Morris 1-5; Curtis Mays 1-4; Patrick Baylor 1-1; Brad Musser 0-3; Scott Corrigan 0-1; Jeff Warner 0-1; Nick Myers 0-1). Fouled out--DeSales Bulldogs-None, Lycoming Warriors-None. Rebounds-DeSales Bulldogs 26 (Harry Morra 6; David Bright 6), Lycoming Warriors 38 (L.J. Huggler 10). Assists-DeSales Bulldogs 12 (Michael Venafra 4), Lycoming Warriors 17 (Shaun Morris 6). Total fouls-DeSales Bulldogs 16, Lycoming Warriors 14. A-1072 Lycoming upsets the 17th ranked team in the country.