Box Score

BLOOMSBURG--BU's Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) scored 21 points, including 15 in the first half, to lead all players as the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team defeated Shippensburg University, 94-81, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action Wednesday night. With the win, the Huskies improve to 9-12 overall (5-4 PSAC East), while the Red Raiders slip to 8-13 (3-6 PSAC East) with the loss.

Bloomsburg jumped out to a 12-4 lead and controlled the pace for much of the half. Shippensburg closed the gap and got even, 23-23, at the 10:19 mark.

From there, BU broke away again and built up the team's largest lead of the period at 44-27. Though the Red Raiders went on a 9-0 run to narrow the advantage, the Huskies carried a 10-point lead into the break, up 48-38. The double-digit halftime lead was the first for Bloomsburg since the team beat PSU-Hazelton in November.

Bloomsburg's Jordan led all players with 15 points in first half, connecting on 7 for 9 shooting and 1 of 1 from the free throw line.

After the break, BU's Jesse Betar (Altoona/Altoona) kept the Huskies' momentum going with a 3-pointer to open the second-half scoring. Bloomsburg maintained its sizeable lead, which maxed out at 19 points with BU up 68-49 with just under 12 minutes to play.

Shippensburg struck back with a 12-2 run capped with a free throw from Craig Van Scyoc to close the gap to nine at 70-61 with less than eight minutes remaining.

With under five and a half to play, the Bloomsburg lead had tapered to eight, 76-68, but the Huskies responded with a jam by Jordan and a pair of made free throws by Lorenzo Christmas (Norristown/Norristown).

Shippensburg continued to fight for points, while Bloomsburg protected the ball. Ship's Justin Minter recovered a block by Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) III and made a three-pointer with 1:06 to play, cutting the lead to 88-81.

In the end, the Huskies preserved their advantage, and Bloomsburg went on to win 94-81.

Jordan recorded his ninth double-double of the season, finishing with game-highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Christmas tallied 20 on the day, and Webster scored 17. Trevon Johnson (Snow Hill, MD/Snow Hill) scored 16 points to accompany a game-high 8 assists, and Betar was the fifth Husky in double-digits with 15 points.

The win marks Bloomsburg's 100th all-time men's basketball win over Shippensburg.

Bloomsburg returns home on Saturday, February 12, to host PSAC East leader Kutztown University at 3 p.m. All Nelson Field House fans are encouraged to support the Huskies by wearing their gold "Unleash the Animal" T-shirts, available at the University Bookstore.