Raiders lead strong second half comeback, defeat Wolves 82-75

Shippensburg University played to the very end again, and this time, the final outcome resulted in a Raider “W.”

Things got started at Heiges Field House on Jan. 28 when Cheyney University sophomore forward Tyreese Oden fouled SU senior forward Will Royal, in which Royal put up the first two points of the game. Immediately afterward, CU junior guard Jason Sabb answered with a layup to tie the game at two.

For the next few minutes of the game, it was just foul after foul by both teams, which kept the game close for a couple of minutes.

Then, the Wolves turned all business. Senior guard Brandon Baylor made two of three free throws at the beginning of a 7-2 CU run. But the Raiders rallied, and at the seven-minute mark, and Reggie Charles tied the game at 21.

The Wolves were not done. Hoping to go into halftime with a commanding lead, CU once again stormed over SU, putting up an 8-3 run and sinking several three-pointers, giving them its largest lead of 12.

SU was able to stay in the game heading into the half, with the help of a Charles layup at the buzzer. At the half, SU trailed CU, 43-35.

It took over halfway through the second half, but the Raiders put together a rally and outscoed CU 47-32.

The crowd began to show some life and spirit when Charles made a layup to give the Raiders their first lead of the half, 59-58.

They never slowed down once after that.

They took advantage of the clock and out-rebounded CU 41-27 in the game.

The win was sealed when CU’s Jerrod Johnson fouled Royal, and he completed two free throws with just under one minute to go.

“We played better defense. We took advantage of the clock,” SU coach Dave Springer said.We’re a 6-13 team and we know that we have to win games. We want to win these games.”

SU fell to East Stroudsberg last week after keeping it close the whole game. The Raiders came out on top this week after another close game.

“I think we played a great game that day. They [East Stroudsburg] just got it, that’s all,” Springer said. “Our guys work so hard, and today they were able to finish it.”

Royal led the Raiders in scoring with 22 points, including a solid 10-10 free throw stand. As for CU, Jason Sabb led the Wolves, scoring 35 points.

The Raiders will look to make it two in a row when they travel to Kutztown on Feb 1. SU will look to improve its rank in the PSAC conference.

SU can move up to fifth place in the PSAC with a victory over Kutztown University Golden Bears on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tip-off is at 8 p.m..