ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Heading into overtime tied at 68-68, the East Stroudsburg University men's basketball team outscored Lincoln (PA), 14-7, in the extra period to earn a 81-74 victory over the Tigers in the season opener at the Harbor of Hospitality Classic at the R.L. Vaughan Center on Friday night.
The Warriors (1-0) begin the campaign with a victory for the second consecutive season, while the Tigers fall to 0-1 after the opening contest.
ESU built a 12-point second-half lead with just over eight minutes to play, as the Tigers stormed back on a 22-10 scoring run to tie the contest at 68-68 with under a minute to play.
Notables
- Saint Peter's transfer Cam Young recorded 19 points (6-12 FG, 4-6 3PT) off the bench to pace the Warrior scorers. The Swedesboro, N.J. native added five rebounds, three steals, and a block in 19 minutes during his ESU debut.
- Tyshawn Trail registered a career-high 17 points, knocking down 9-10 free throws from the stripe. He added a pair of assists.
- Also reaching double-figures in scoring for ESU was Jaelen McGlone, who made 6-12 field goal for 14 points. He also tallied five rebounds and three steals in 22 minutes of action on the floor.
- Nasir Griffin scored nine points to highlight the top Warrior scorers on the evening.
- For LU, Peter Sorber paced the game with 27 points (12-16 FG) and 16 rebounds. Bakir Cleveland (15 points), Janaie Coates-Sinues (14 points) and Freddie Young Jr. also reached double-figures.
- Despite not seeing a shot fall, Lakeem McAliley led the team with eight rebounds. He added three assist and made four steals.
- ESU was limited to 35.6 percent (26-73 FG) shooting from the floor and 30.8 percent (8-26) from 3-point range. The Warriors were able to get the job done at the line, making 21-28 attempts, compared to 7-12 shooting from the Tigers from the charity stripe.
- The Warrior defense recorded 14 steals and forced 20 turnovers overall. Lincoln held a 43-38 lead in rebounds. Of ESU's 26 made field goals, the Warriors recorded 19 assists. The Warriors also held advantages in points off turnovers (23-11), second-chance points (21-13) and bench points (40-31).
- Despite the overtime contest, ESU led 41:19 of the 45-minute contest, with only two lead changes and one tied score at the end of regulation.
- The overtime contest for ESU was its first since a 92-90 double overtime win over Kutztown on Feb 12, 2020 inside Koehler Fieldhouse. The Warriors are now 17-14 all-time in overtime games under head coach Jeff Wilson.
How It Happened
- It took some time for both offenses to click in the first contest of the season. The Warriors took a seven-point lead at 17-10 with 8:49 remaining in the first half after a McGlone triple. After a layup from Sorber made it a five-point game, ESU built a game-high 14-point lead following an 11-2 run making it a 28-14 contest with 6:18 in the half. The Tigers finished the first half strong, slicing the Warrior halftime lead to five after a 14-4 run. ESU clung to a 32-27 lead after 20 minutes.
- Lincoln took its first lead at 37-36 and 40-39, as ESU retook the lead for the time being at 41-40, following a Davon Lee jump shot. The Warriors grew its lead to as high as 12 points at 58-46 in the second half, but the resilient Tigers were able to tie the contest in the final minute, closing regulation on a 22-10 scoring run.
- Griffin opened overtime with a 3-pointer to lift the Warriors to a lead for good. Trail added a pair of free throws to make it 73-68, Lincoln added a jumper to make it a one-possession game.Griffin added another triple to extend the ESU lead back to six at 76-70. Trail continued to knock down free throws from the stripe, as Griffin and Trail combined for all 13 of ESU's overtime points in the 81-74 win.
Up Next
- ESU (1-0) will have a quick turnaround, battling tournament-host Elizabeth City State (0-1) on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
