SU rebounds from loss at Kutztown, defeats Mansfield by double digits in weekend action

After a disappointing loss to Kutztown University on Wednesday, the Shippensburg men’s basketball team looked to bounce back against opposing Mansfield University.

Things got started when Shippensburg sophomore forward center Dylan Edgar laid up a field goal, giving the Raiders the first two points of the game. MU would respond when junior guard Cory Henneghan sank a three-pointer to give the Mounties a quick 3-2 lead. The Raiders took a 4-3 lead when Jordan Stasyszyn put up the first two of his total 17 points in the game.

MU struggled from the field for over four minutes during the first half. The Raiders were able to take advantage of that, putting up a 21-11 lead at one point.

SU kept extending its lead, thanks in part to a pair of layups by Reggie Charles and Edgar, giving SU a ,31-19, lead.

The Mounties put together a rally late in the half, hoping to go into halftime only down by a few points if not with the lead. After a short scoring drought by both teams, MU’s Charles Becoats sank a 3-pointer, cutting SU’s lead to five, 31-36.

Then, Henneghan shot another three to cut the lead to two. Thanks to two free throws completed by Van Scyoc and a Charles 3-pointer at the buzzer, SU finished the first half with a 41-34 lead.

The start of the second half would start with SU’s lead shrinking once again. Dylan Edgar fouled MU’s Chuck Harper, and Harper completed one of two free throws. Then Joe Bell put up a field goal, and the Raiders’ lead was cut to four when Josh Dupuy put up a lay-up.

The Mounties rally continued, SU found its lead chewed down to just two, 48-46. That did not faze Stasyszyn, Charles and Van Scyoc, who were the three biggest players for the rest of the game.

Working together and playing solid offense and defense, SU regained the lead and put up its largest lead of 14.

SU began to finally pull away to victory with two minutes to go. Charles was fouled and completed both free throws. Shortly after, he was fouled again by Henneghan, and completed two free throws once again. The Raiders led 86-76 with just under a minute to go.

SU closed it out when Stasyszyn was fouled by Harper, and he sank two free throws. MU’s Dominic Oliver was able to put up a final layup for MU at the buzzer, but it was not enough. SU would win the game 90-78.

Van Scyoc led the Raiders in scoring, putting up an impressive 34 points. Cory Henneghan scored 36 points for MU. MU also out-rebounded SU 39-38.

The Raiders begin a two-game road stretch, starting Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Bloomsburg at 7:30 p.m., and a rematch with East Stroudsburg next Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. SU’s next home game will be against West Chester University.

SU could move up to fifth with wins this week.