(Posted January 22, 2005)

Albright 81, Juniata 65

Reading, Pa. ? The Juniata College men?s basketball teams hopes for a third-consecutive conference victory seemed to be well within reach until a six-minute scoring outburst from Albright College proved too much to overcome as the Eagles dropped an 81-65 decision in Reading Saturday afternoon. Juniata now stands at 7-10 overall and 2-4 in Commonwealth Conference play, while the Lions upped their mark to 11-5 on the season and 5-1 in the conference.

Juniata overcame an early first-half deficit to push in front by six after a steal and a three from Nick Hager (Franklin/Franklin). Juniata kept its edge with some solid three-point shooting as the Eagles hit 6-of-12 from long range in the first half. The Lions answered and pulled back in front on a bucket from Trevor Deeter. Juniata?s Travis Boyd (Juniata Valley/Barree) answered with a lay-up to tie the score at 27 with 6:05 remaining in the first half.

But the next six minutes became the story as Albright embarked on a 16-1 run over that stretch to pull out to a 43-28 lead with 1:47 remaining in the half. Boyd stopped the run for a moment with a three, but Albright answered and went into the locker room leading 48-33.

Those six minutes would prove decisive as the Eagles were unable to climb back into the game. After Albright?s Matt Kieselowsky opened the half with a three, Juniata would get back within 15 three times in the first 10 minutes of the second session, but could get no closer. Albright?s lead grew to as many as 24 as the home team converted 13-of-16 free throws to keep the game out of reach.

Boyd finished with a team-high 14 points for the Eagles, while Hager and Kyle Opitz (Pine Richland/Gibsonia) both added 11. Chris Jasiota (Oil City/Oil City) was also in double figures with 10, while Hager brought in a team-high five rebounds, and led the team with five assists. Aaron Chamberlain (Tussey Mountain/Wood) also finished with five rebounds.

Ben Gallagher had a game-high 19 points for the Lions while also contributing nine boards. Tom Murphy finished with 11 points and Elu Lawrence added 10. Deeter grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, with Greg Conroy pacing the team with four assists.

Juniata is back in action Wednesday night when the Eagles welcome conference opponent Lebanon Valley.

JUNIATA (65): Byer 2 0-0 4, Chamberlain 1 0-0 2, Boyd 4 3-4 14, McConnell 2 0-0 5, Hager 4 0-0 11, Ferko 0 0-0 0, Jasiota 4 2-3 10, Opitz 4 2-2 11, Price 0 0-0 0, Holencik 2 0-0 4, Holloway 1 0-2 2, Bull 0 0-0 0, Cannon 0 0-0 0. Totals ? 25 7-11 65

ALBRIGHT (81): Kieselowsky 2 2-2 7, Winebrenner 1 4-4 6, Lawrence 4 0-0 10, Gallagher 5 7-10 19, Deeter 3 2-2 9, Conroy 1 0-0 2, Linden 1 0-0 2, Kovensky 0 0-0 0, Schneider 0 0-0 0, Harvey 0 4-7 4, Gallman 1 0-0 2, Boles 2 1-3 5, Walter 2 0-0 4, Murphy 4 2-2 11, Brudvig 0 0-0 0, Medoro 0 0-0 0. Totals ? 26 22-30 81

Halftime: Albright 48-33. 3-point goals: Juniata 8 (Boyd 3, Hager 3, McConnell, Opitz); Albright 7 (Lawrence 2, Gallagher 2, Kieselowsky, Deeter, Murphy). Assists: Juniata 14 (Hager 5); Albright 14 (Conroy 4). Rebounds: Juniata 29 (Hager 5); Albright 49 (Deeter 11).

Records: Juniata (7-10); Albright (11-5).

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