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INDIANA, Pa. – The Bloomsburg men's basketball team put a scare into undefeated and sixth-ranked IUP on its home floor Wednesday night, holding a seven-point second half lead before dropping a 63-53 decision at the Kovalchick Complex in front of 1,152 fans.

Bloomsburg (8-5) ran off a 20-6 burst spanning the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second period to seize a 33-26 lead behind red hot shooting from senior guard Lorenzo Christmas (Norristown/Norristown). A traditional three-point play from Christmas put the Huskies ahead by seven with 16:19 to play for their largest lead of the game.

The Huskies were able to keep the Crimson Hawks (13-0) at bay for the next several minutes, watching their lead shrink to two at 35-33 only to stretch the edge to six again following free throws from Charles Haigler (Charles Town, WV/Hargrave Military Academy) for a 40-33 edge with 11:23 to play.

IUP finally tied things at 42 while embarking on a 10-0 run capped on a jumper by Devon Cottrell for a 47-42 lead. Bloomsburg closed to three again at 47-44 on a bucket by Haigler with 5:29 remaining, but it would be as close as the visitors would get the rest of the way. IUP went on a 10-4 break over the next two minutes to take a double-digit lead for the first time of the night and did not relinquish control.

Christmas led all scorers with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Haigler also posted a strong offensive performance with a season-high 18 points.

Bloomsburg limited the Crimson Hawks to over 10 points off their season average of 73.5 points per game, also holding IUP to 1-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc. IUP did much of its work in the paint, however, leading the inside scoring by a 36-16 margin.

The Huskies finished with a 35-30 edge on the boards led by Alssene Saintilus (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and Jon Riles (Philadelphia/Academy of the New Church) who had on six rebounds apiece.

Things won't get any easier for the Huskies, who are idle until next Wednesday when they host another nationally-ranked team – East Stroudsburg – at Nelson Field House on Jan. 15.

GAME NOTES: The Huskies played without leading scorer Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) who missed the game due to injury … Christmas moved into 20th place all-time in BU scoring with 1,102 points, passing the total of 1,088 set by Larry Webster from 2008-12 … Christmas also continued his climb up the school record books for 3-pointers adding three more and now has a career total of 194 … Wednesday's game was the final PSAC crossover game of the season and next-to-last non-conference contest scheduled.