Penn State York Captures 2022 Men's Basketball Crown
Penn State York Strong Second Half Too Much as They Beat Brandywine 73-56 To Become The 2022 Men’s Basketball Champions
Penn State York took care of business against Penn State Brandywine at the Bryce Jordan Center, winning convincingly by a final score of 73-56 to capture the 2022 PSUAC Men's Basketball Championship.
The women’s game was much more competitive, as York controlled the tempo and the scoreboard for most of the way. Brandywine didn’t play poorly, per se. But there was most definitely a lid on the basket that the team just couldn’t shake off.
There isn’t one particular player to point to for York, as each played a vital role in the win. But between the star power of Deriq Brown, bench contribution from Evan Brady and the defensive prowess of Michael Coleman, it was ultimately just too much for Brandywine to combat.
Brown, the East Player of the Year had an extremely quiet impact, but his was arguably the most meaningful. He contributed in all facets, posting 19 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
He was also drawing a lot of attention from the Brandywine defense, getting double-teamed on nearly every possession. But Brown was passing out of it exceptionally well and finding the open man, ending the game with five assists, tying a season high.
York’s leading scorer came off the bench. It was Evan Brady once again, who’s had a sensational playoff run, capping it off with 19 points on 50% shooting.
Lastly, there’s Michael Coleman, who went 5-for-18 scoring only 11 points, but flirted with a triple-double recording six assists and seven rebounds. Although, it was really Coleman’s defense that made a difference and it’s arguably the primary reason that York came away with the win.
The East Defensive Player of the Year put the clamps on Brandywine’s superstar and leading-scorer, Bryce Barrouk, limiting him to 11 points, shooting 3-for-16 from the field and 1-for-5 from beyond the arc. As Barrouk came up just short on several of his attempts, the fierce and tenacious defense of Coleman was visibly impacting his release and shooting rhythm.
Barrouk did grab a season-high 20 rebounds, but ultimately it wasn’t enough. East Rookie of the Year Colin Hockenbrock was also held in check with just six points. He struggled with fouls too, fouling-out with six minutes left in the second half.
Johnta Dunson led the way in the points department for Brandywine with 13, as the team struggled to put the ball in the basket all game and couldn’t get into any sort of groove whatsoever.
Brandywine shot just 31.8% as a team from the field and 27.8% from long-range. It went just 9-for-16 from the charity stripe as well.
York picks up its fifth championship trophy in the last 10 years and first since 2019.
Zach Donaldson is a fourth-year student at University Park majoring in broadcast journalism and is currently an intern with the PSUAC. To contact him, email zach.donaldson1@gmail.com.