SU cannot overcome early deficits in loss

The Shippensburg University men’s basketball team had a week to forget as the Raiders fell in both games to West Chester and Cheyney.

On Friday, Heiges Field House was all decked out for Play4Kay night. From balloons to the fans, all the way to the men’s basketball players showing off their pink high tops, as 520 spectators hoped to see a better men’s performance after the women’s team fell to West Chester’s women’s team just prior to the game.

SU struggled in the first half, but most importantly, struggled with foul issues, but they were able to keep it close going into the half.

The second half would see yet another SU comeback effort. WCU’s Lance McDowell fouled Lauber, who completed one of two free throws. McDowell would again foul Will Royal, but he missed both free throws, which would prove to be a big factor for SU in the loss.

John Breeden would then nail an impressive 3-pointer.

Craig Van Scyoc was the star for the Raiders on Wednesday, he wowed the crowd, making back-to-back 3 pointers, and finally pulling the Raiders within one point. Unfortunately, that is as far as SU would come.

SU made one last attempt to complete an improved second half performance. WCU led 67-63 with 1:42 to go, Troy Hockaday sealed the win with free throws completing the final score, 71-63 WCU.
Saturday spelled more of the same for SU as it fell to Cheyney in the Raiders last away contest of the season.

Dane Lauber led the Raiders in scoring with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting off the bench in addition to five rebounds and three assists.

CU was up by as many as 11 in the first half but a Raider rally to close out the half narrowed that deficit down to six.

However, that would be as close as SU would get as the Raiders would fall behind in the second half and eventually lose 69-59.

SU will return home on Wednesday for an 8 p.m. tip against Millersville from Heiges Field House.