Two big runs lead Roarilng Lions past Lehigh Valley
Penn State Lehigh Valley's Lloyd Irons (24) dribbles against Penn State Fayette's Brandon Cunningham (12) at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, Saturday afternoon.
Joel Brewton | Herald-Standard
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ Ryan Hart (14) scores a basket with Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Chad Heidecker defending during Saturday’s game at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Penn State Lehigh Valley's Jarrett Carnes (12) pushes through the defense of Penn State Fayette's C.J. Gaddis (20) and Brandon Cunningham (12) at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, Saturday afternoon.
Penn State Fayette's C.J. Gaddis (20), assisted by Andrew Hoye (55), advances downcourt against Penn State Leigh Valley's Lloyd Irons (24) at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, Saturday afternoon.
Penn State Fayette's David Winns (11) leaps for two points against Penn State Lehigh Valley's Chad Heidecker (21) at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, Saturday afternoon.
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus used two big runs; one early, and one late, to defeat Penn State Lehigh Valley, 93-69, Saturday in a PSUAC game at The Eberly Campus.
The Roaring Lions soared to an 11-0 start and closed the game with a 14-5 run that together provided most of the winning margin.
Between the two runs, the Lehigh Valley team of one sophomore and eight freshmen played Fayette on almost even terms.
Penn State Fayette (5-7, 4-2) took its 11 point lead on points by five different players; baskets by Ryan Hart and David Winns, 3-point baskets by Dierre Jenkins and Brandon Cunningham, and a James Pratt free throw.
The Roaring Lions built the lead to 24-7 before PS Lehigh Valley (0-9, 0-5) went on an eight-point run on baskets by Jarrett Carnes and Lloyd Irons, and consecutive baskets by Steven Reeves to cut the lead to 24-15.
Fayette was unable to shake Lehigh Valley for the rest of the half as the visitors cut the lead to eight points on five different occasions before Winns closed the half with a basket and free throw for a 45-34 Fayette lead.
When Winns opened the second half by scoring four points, the lead was 15 at 49-34. But Shane Hoffert scored twice and Irons once to cut the lead to nine at 49-40.
Minutes later, an Irons basket cut the lead to 53-48. But Winns scored six points and Cunningham five points to lead a Fayette run that extended the lead to 66-50.
Fayette’s late run came after Lehigh Valley got within 15 on Irons’ three-point play. The Roaring Lions used four points by Pratt and Hart and another basket by Cunningham to build an 89-66 lead that removed any doubt about the outcome.
Winns led Fayette with 25 points, Pratt had 21, Cunningham 19, and Hart and Jenkins added 11 each. Irons led Leigh Valley with 21, Hoffert scored 12, and Reeves 11.
Fayette coach Mark John said the Roaring Lions’ continuity may have been slowed by final exam week, during which practices were voluntary.
“We had a tough week with finals and six guys at practice on any given day. We had three-on-three drills and the guys were under a lot of pressure.
“(Lehigh Valley) took advantage of our rotations, and that’s a testimony to the kind of team they are,” John added.
With the holiday break, players will be going home to as far away as California and Washington D.C. for some and John said, “It’s a good chance to energize, step back, and reflect on the fact that our only two conference losses were by a combined four points in three overtimes.
“We feel we’re one of the most competitive teams in the conference, and we expect to come back refreshed for two non-conference games,” in early January.