BOWIE, Md. – In a back-and-forth thriller, the East Stroudsburg University men's basketball team opened the 2022-23 season with an 86-81 victory against Fayetteville State on Friday evening inside Bowie State's A.C. Jordan Arena.
The Warriors, who were picked as the favorite of the PSAC East in the PSAC Preseason Poll begins the season 1-0, while the Broncos (0-1) fall in its season opener as the preseason favorite in the CIAA.
2021-22 All-PSAC second team selection Lakeem McAliley paced the squad with a double-double performance as a redshirt sophomore, registering 25 points and 12 rebounds. He shot an efficient 8-of-12 from the floor and drained 8-10 attempts from the free-throw line. Of his 25 total points, 22 came in the first 20 minutes for number two.
Notables
- McAliley was one of five Warriors that reached double-figures in scoring, as Carlos Pepin poured in 13 points and grabbed four rebounds. Pepin was limited to 19 minutes after early foul trouble.
- Justin Paz, Davon Lee (4-6 FG) and Shamir Johnson (4-6 FG, 2-3 3PT) all registered 10 points in the victory to supplement the offense. It was Johnson's first contest in 979 days, after missing the 2021-22 campaign due to injury and the COVID-19 canceled 2020-21 season.
- Mike Millsip posted eight points, including a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.
- In his Warrior debut, Rider transfer Jaelen McGlone posted deven points three rebounds and two assists in a team-high 34 minutes.
- ESU arguably won the game at the free throw line, converting 26-37 attempts (70.3%), while Fayetteville State was held to shoot just 8-18 (44.4%).
- For the Broncos, Tony Hauser, Kaleb Coleman and Tyler Foster all registered 16 points in the loss. Hauser posted a double-double with a team-high 10 boards.
- Both teams were selected to tie for the sixth in the D2SIDA Atlantic Region Preseason Poll released last week.
- The Warriors led 19-8 in points off turnovers.
- The back-and-forth affair featured eight lead changes.
- In the season opener of his 20th season, ESU head coach Jeff Wilson picks up his 359th career win.
How It Happened
- After McGlone recorded an acrobatic layup for the first points of the season, the Broncos reeled off a 13-0 run to take a double-digit lead. Pepin ended the skid with three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt to cut the deficit 13-5. After a layup from Shamir Johnson, ESU would inch back and would tie the contest at 25-25 after McAliley's layup. During the 18-12 run, McAliley paced the comeback with seven points, while Paz added six points.
- The Warriors grabbed its first lead since 2-0 at 28-27 following McAliley layup. Both squads continued to trade buckets and leads, as ultimately the Broncos would head into the locker room with a slim 47-45 lead.
- The second half began just as the first half ended, with neither team able to gain separation. As leads and ties were exchanged on the scoreboard, the Warriors continued to get it done at the free throw line. Neither team led by more than five points at any point in the final 20 minutes.
- Tied at 81-81 with 90 seconds to go, Lee hit a runner to put the Warriors up two. Having an opportunity to tie the game with a pair of free throws with a minute to go, the Broncos missed both tries, as Paz was able to make one-of-two attempts for ESU to put the Warriors up 84-81 with 32 seconds to go. A 3-point attempt to tie the game by Fayetteville State clanked off the rim, as Paz got the rebound and made a free throw to put the Warriors up by two possessions in the waning seconds. As the Broncos attempted another triple. Lee would scoop the rebound and make a free throw to put the game on ice for the final score of 86-81.
Up Next
- ESU closes the season-opening tournament against host Bowie State on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
