Box Score
EAST STROUDSBURG - Zaire Newton hit a three-pointer from the corner with five seconds left as Cheyney broke East Stroudsburg University's 11-game home winning streak at Koehler Fieldhouse with a 59-56 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Newton's three-pointer on an assist from Tyrone Smith (21 points, nine rebounds) helped Cheyney survive after ESU (12-5, 3-1) rallied from a nine-point deficit to tie the game at 56-all with 2:34 to go. The Warriors had won six straight games and lost for the first time in PSAC East action.
Smith's third three-pointer of the game gave Cheyney (10-5, 3-1) a 50-41 lead with 8:25 left before the Warriors started their comeback, quickly making it a three-point game on a free throw by senior guard Dawud Lyons, an offensive rebound and putback by Lyons and a triple by sophomore guard Mike DeMarco with 6:38 to play.
Dominique Curry knocked down two free throws for Cheyney but fouled ESU senior forward Aaron Pinckney on a three-point attempt the next time down. Pinckney made two of the three free throws to cut the lead to 52-49 with five minutes left.
Curry drove and assisted on a jumper by Kevin Presbery, ESU responded with a layup by senior forward Chris Bach, and Smith's layup with 3:41 remaining put Cheyney ahead 56-51.
Pinckney had a steal and layup to pull ESU within three for the third time down the stretch, and drilled a three-pointer from the right wing to complete the comeback and force a 56-56 tie with 2:34 left.
ESU didn't touch the ball again until there was 1:01 on the clock, as Cheyney missed three straight shots but got every offensive rebound. Smith was fouled going to the basket but missed both free throws, and DeMarco pulled down the board for the Warriors.
Following a timeout, senior guard Pat Fleury drove to the bucket near the end of ESU's possession but couldn't get it to go, and Smith grabbed the rebound. Cheyney took a timeout and put the ball in Smith's hands, and their leading scorer found Newton for a three-pointer on the right baseline to take the lead.
The Warriors took a timeout with five seconds left and Pinckney's game-tying three from 28 feet hit the side of the rim and fell away as time expired.
Curry and Presbery both had 12 points and helped Cheyney to a 43-27 advantage on the glass, including 19 offensive rebounds. Smith was 9-of-15 from the field and 3-for-4 from the three-point line on his way to 21 points.
Bach led ESU with 11 points and Pinckney scored all 10 of his points in the second half while leading the comeback. Lyons, DeMarco and junior guard Andy Heimbach scored eight points each.
The Warriors hadn't lost at Koehler Fieldhouse since Feb. 6, 2008 and entered the game with an 8-0 home record this season. They are on the road on Wednesday night with a trip to Mansfield as they continue PSAC East play.
