The 2015-16 season for the Shippensburg University men’s basketball team has proved to be both exciting and successful. SU is raising the bar for men’s basketball after having made a competitive presence in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament and having two members of the team being named to All-PSAC East Division Teams.
The Raiders entered the PSAC Tournament with an 18-8 (15-7 PSAC) record. SU faced off against Bloomsburg University in the first round of PSAC playoffs. The Raiders both lost to and won against the Huskies in earlier season games, so the playoff game was expected to be very competitive. SU was able to clinch the win over BU with the help of junior Abe Massaley. Massaley made the game-winning lay-up with a mere 0.8 seconds left on the clock to end the game with a final score of 80-78. Massaley ended the night with 17 points and 11 assists, while sophomore Dustin Sleva followed close behind with a total of 16 points and 16 rebounds.
SU then moved on to quarterfinals where the team battled against Kutztown University. The PSAC match-up once again proved to be a nail-biter with the score being tied with less than two seconds left in the game. Massaley was clutch for a second time when he made yet another game winning shot with 1.5 seconds left, giving SU the final push to a 74-72 victory. Massaley totaled 16 points, five rebounds and four assists for the night. Sophomore Justin McCarthur had a career-high 25 points along with five rebounds and three assists. The quarterfinal win meant that SU would be heading to the PSAC semifinals for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
Unfortunately, SU’s successful run in the PSAC Tournament came to an end at the semifinal match-up against Mercyhurst University. The Raiders fell to the Lakers 79-68. Despite the loss, many members of the team played a great game, including Sleva, who racked up a total of 24 points and picked up nine rebounds. Senior Jay Hardy also had a great performance with five three-pointers to total 16 points.
With a final record of 20-9, the SU 2015-16 team has tied for the second-most wins in school history. Along with a great record, SU also had two members of its team named to All-PSAC Teams. Sleva was named to All-PSAC East First Team. Sleva finished 10th in the PSAC in scoring and led the PSAC in double-doubles. Massaley was also named, earning a spot on the All-PSAC East Second Team.
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