Brandywine Can’t Overcome Slow Start In Setback At Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine was limited to 22 first-half points and could not overcome a 14-point halftime deficit, falling 71-54 at Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Saturday in Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball action.

Colin Hockenbrock (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) netted 11 points during the opening 20 minutes, but the Lions trailed 36-22 entering the break.

Brandywine mounted a comeback early in the second half, trimming the Wilkes-Barre lead to just four by the 11:17 mark.

Jamar Wright (Wilmington, Del./Conrad School of Science) got the comeback started with a layup and three-pointer during the first 2:12 of the period. After two Wilkes-Barre free throws, Devon Jones (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington) and Hockenbrock sank back-to-back layups to bring the count to 41-33.

Jaden Kelly (Philadelphia, Pa./GAMP) added a bucket at the 13:25 mark, while Hockenbrock sandwiched a pair of layups around a Wilkes-Barre basket, making the score 43-39 with 11:17 to go; however, the Lions' offense went cold over the next 4:23 as the hosts outscored Brandywine 6-0 to push the margin back to double figures.

Brandywine got as close as eight points down following a pair of Kelly free throws with 4:14 to go, but six-straight Wilkes-Barre points thwarted any further rally.

Hockenbrock recorded team highs with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Kelly chipped in 11 points and seven boards, while Wright added 10 points.

Wilkes-Barre shot 50 percent from the field and held a 44-29 edge on the boards, while Brandywine shot 36 percent from the floor.

Brandywine (6-12, 6-7 PSUAC) will close out its three-game road trip Wednesday at Penn State Scranton at 8:00 PM.