Hazleton tops Schuylkill with hot second half at Martz Hall

Pottsville, Pa. - The Nittany Lions (2-5, 1-0) picked up their first Penn State University Athletic Conference win of the season Tuesday Night at Martz Hall with a convincing 81-63 victory over Penn State Schuylkill. A first half double-double by sophomore Jordan Singletary (Houston, Tx.) and a second half offensive explosion by sophomore Royce Brathwaite led the charge as Hazleton moves to 1-0 in the PSUAC.

1st Half:

Hazleton trailed Schuylkill by as many as seven points for much of the first half as buckets seemed hard to come by in the first half. Schuylkill controlled the pace of play until a Jordan Singletary jump shot sparked a 12-0 run, giving Hazleton their first lead of the game since the four minute mark. The Lions were able to take advantage of nine Schuylkill turnovers in the first half as they claimed a slim 35-31 advantage at the midway point.

2nd Half:

The Lions shed their fall break hangover in the second half of play, shooting beyond a 50 percent clip, and methodically expanding their lead into double figures to win the half in wire to wire fashion. Brathwaite kicked off the second half action with a three point bucket, the first of 18 second half points for the second year guard, as he and his teammates found success from the field and free throw line in the final period. Junior Dwayne Richardson and freshman Nick Nowak each pitched in seven points a piece allowing Hazleton to pull away from the home team a cruise to the 81-63 victory over their local rival. 

Top Performers:

Derek Dimond shot just 28 percent from the floor, but added eight of 12 free throws to tally 26 points to lead all scorers. Dimond also collected 12 rebounds to secure a double-double. Teammate Benioko Harris went for 18 points and seven rebounds and Nick Jacoby added seven points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

Brathwaite's stellar second half gave him 23 points on the night including three buckets from long range while going six for six from the charity stripe. Though his offensive production cooled in the second period, Singletary continued his fine work on the floor, finishing the night with 14 points to go along with a game high 15 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Three others reached double figures for Hazleton in their 81 point effort on Tuesday. Dwayne Richardson supplied 12 points, six assists and five rebounds while teammate Nick Nowak added 11 points and four rebounds off the bench. Freshman Brian Miller picked up his first double-double of his career with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of work.

Next up: The Lions head to Penn State Worthington Scranton on Thursday night where they will look to remain unbeaten in PSUAC play. Tip-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in Dunmore, Pa.