Comeback falls short in men's basketball 67-65 loss to Penn State Lehigh Valley

HAZLETON, Pa. - Penn State Hazleton turned a 12-point deficit into a one point game, but ultimately dropped a 67-65 contest to Penn State Lehigh Valley in PSUAC play on Saturday afternoon.

Despite trailing 63-51 with 1:41 remaining, Hazleton clawed back with a 14-3 run over the next 93 seconds. Freshman Jacob Solano (Bethlehem, Pa.) scored a lay-up followed by a three-pointer from freshman Chris Woodring (Hazleton, Pa.) made it 64-56 with 54 seconds to play. Solano and Woodring would continue the onslaught, alternating layups before a Solano jump shot and three Woodring free throws drew the Nittany Lions within one at 66-65 with eight seconds remaining. A foul by Hazleton and a made free throw by Lehigh Valley's Edward Sanchez made it 67-65, and Solano's last second floater banged off the back of the rim to end the game.

Solano finished with a game-high 26 points for Hazleton (6-6, 4-3 PSUAC), with Woodring contributing 15 points and four assists. Freshmen Matt Manbeck added 11.

Hazleton finished 45 percent (22-for-49) from the field,, but lost the rebounding battle 42-29. Lehigh Valley dominated the paint, holding the Nittany Lions to 16 points in the lane while scoring 34 of their own.

Lehigh Valley, who never trailed during the game, was paced by Joe Wiggins with 13 points off the bench. Garree Boston also added 11 bench points for the Lions.

Hazleton returns to action on Monday, January 19 as they host Penn State Wilkes-Barre in a rematch of the Nittany Lions' 64-59 win on December 12. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.