Men's Basketball Battles Late to Top Penn State Beaver

Monaca, PA - The lead changed hands a total of 16 times during the first 14 minutes of Saturday's matchup against Penn State Beaver.

A 7-1 stretch by Beaver with 4:12 remaining in the first half created the biggest margin up to that point. With the score 29-23 in Beaver's favor, Wilvens Fleurizard (Tamarac, FL / Coral Springs High School) converted a layup to bring the deficit to four. Andrew Sepp (Bogota, NJ / Saint Mary High School) connected from long range on the next Schuylkill offensive possession to bring them within one.

Sepp connected on yet another 3-point attempt a few possessions later to give Schuylkill a 32-31 lead with 1:22 remaining in the half.

There was a total of four lead changes during the final minute of the first half. Antwuan Byrd (Harrisburg, PA / Bishop McDevitt High School) found the bottom of the net on a 3-point attempt and was fouled in the act of shooting. Byrd proceeded to knock down the free throw, giving Schuylkill a 38-35 lead going into the second half.

The back and forth affair between both teams continued in the second half with no team gaining any separation early on. There was a total of 5 lead changes and 3 ties during the first 13 minutes of the half. An 8-0 Schuylkill run with 4:45 remaining gave Schuylkill their biggest lead of the contest at 65-59.

Two consecutive 3-point makes by Beaver tied the game at 65 with 3:02 remaining. Byrd answered immediately, knocking down a 3-pointer of his own to extend the lead. Beaver regained the lead with 1:02 remaining off a 5-0 stretch, forcing a Schuylkill timeout.

Pau Pumarola (Barcelona, Spain / IMG Academy) would knock down a jump shot at the elbow to even the score at 70 with 44 seconds remaining. Dashawn Dixon (Baltimore, MD / Cantonsville High School) came up with a huge block with 19 seconds remaining and Fleurizard was able to collect the defensive rebound for Schuylkill.

With seconds winding down in regulation, Fleurizard found Byrd for a layup while pushing the ball in transition to give the Schuylkill a 72-70 lead. A great defensive possession ultimately sealed the game for Schuylkill.

Bryce Hensley (Auburn, PA / Blue Mountain High School) led Schuylkill with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Dixon added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Byrd finished with 12 points and 9 assists. Sepp contributed with 10 points off the bench.