Scranton Rallies To Top Brandywine

SCRANTON, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine led by double figures, but Penn State Scranton outscored the Lions 58-44 during the final half to claim a 102-97 Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball victory Tuesday night.

Pat Gallagher (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) poured in 32 points, matching his career high set just 10 days ago. He scored 24 of his points during the first half on 10-of-13 shooting.

Andrew Persaud (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) added 18 points, while Ketquan Gatewood (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Collegiate Prep) tallied 17 points and nine rebounds. Bryce Barrouk (Glen Mills, Pa./Rustin) chipped in 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Naifes Smalls (Philadelphia, Pa./PE&T Charter) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points as the Lions' five starters combined for 93 points.

Both teams pushed the tempo from the start, combining for 30 points during the first six minutes of action. Gallagher buried a triple to tie the game at 15-15, starting a run of four-straight three-pointers for the Lions, but Scranton kept pace, making five three-pointers of its own during the opening half.

Ten minutes later, Gallagher converted a three-point play to knot the score at 36-36. It was the first three of 11-straight points for Gallagher as he pushed the Lions in front 44-39. After a bucket from Gatewood, Gallagher's upped his point total to 24 with a layup that gave Brandywine its biggest lead of the half and the Lions went into the break on top 53-44.

Back-to-back Gatewood baskets gave the Lions their largest margin of the game at 69-57 with 15:27 to go regulation; however, Brandywine went scoreless during the next 4:58 and Scranton rallied with 14-straight points to jump into the lead.

Scranton extended its lead to nine points with 2:17 remaining and moved the margin to double figures during the final minute. Brandywine put together a furious rally during the final 60 seconds, closing to within two points on Barrouk's free throw with 27 ticks left on the clock, but Scranton held on by knocking down four-straight free throws.

Brandywine (3-3, 1-2 PSUAC) is back in action Wednesday night at Eastern at 7:00 pm.