Box Score BOX SCORE

BLOOMSBURG—Despite a 17 point performance from Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport), the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team (8-2, 5-1 PSAC) was unable to overcome an eight point halftime deficit as the Lakers of Mercyhurst (6-2, 5-1 PSAC) beat the Huskies, 70-66.  The Huskies outrebounded the Lakers 43-32 but were unable to capitalize on key possessions as they saw their eight game win-streak come to an end.

The Lakers opened play with seven straight points in the first 2:39 of the game.  Matt Lee scored five of Mercyhurst's seven points.  However, Bloomsburg regrouped, bringing the score to 12-11 as the Huskies trailed by one. 

From there, Mercyhurst would go on a 13-2 run to extend their lead to 25-13 with 8:40 left in the first half.  Bloomsburg would make another comeback in the first, cutting the lead to six points but the Lakers would take an eight point lead into halftime, 35-27.

The scoring for Bloomsburg was evenly distributed as Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) led BU with six points while the BU bench came in to add seven points and 10 rebounds.  For the Lakers, Matt Lee and Luis Leao each scored 11 points. 

In the second half, Mercyhurst extended their lead back to 12 points just 1:59 into the game, 42-30.  Bloomsburg would again rally to bring the game to within four points at the 10:22 mark, 51-47.  From there each team traded threes to keep the game at a four point margin.

However, the Lakers would go on a 10-1 run over the next three minutes to take their largest lead of the game, 64-51.  Bloomsburg would fight back to bring the score to 68-62 with 1:36, making it a two possession game. 

Following a missed jumper and two missed BU free throws, the Lakers' Luis Leao would make good on one of two free throws to make it a three possession game at 69-62.  Bloomsburg cut the lead to five points with an Ed Hall (Washington, DC/Paint Branch) layup.  Leao would get sent to line again after a BU foul but this time would miss the front end of the one-and-one. 

From there, Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) drained two free throws to make it 69-66, the closest Bloomsburg had been since the 13:57 mark of the first half. Bloomsburg's late surge would be too little too late as the Lakers would go on to win 70-66, handing the Huskies their first loss since the season opener.  

BU's Jordan led the Huskies in scoring with 17 while also grabbing seven rebounds and making one steal.  Ed Hall (Washington, DC/Paint Branch) was not far behind with 16 points and seven boards while Trevon Johnson (Snow Hill, MD/Snow Hill) added 15 points and six assists.  Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) III was limited to three points this afternoon but did rip down 13 boards as well as rejecting one shot and making four steals.

For the Lakers, Matt Lee led all scorers with 25 points and five rebounds.  Luis Leao added another 20 points and eight boards while Callon Dailey and Andrew Rickard each scored eight points in efforts off the bench.

The Bloomsburg University men's basketball team will be back in action on December 30th as the Huskies travel to take on Chestnut Hill.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Philadelphia, PA.