Hazleton drops 86-70 decision to SUNY Delhi

HAZLETON, Pa. - Playing for the second straight day, Penn State Hazleton couldn't keep pace with visiting SUNY Delhi, falling 86-70 in a non-conference men's basketball game on Tuesday night in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium. 

Despite shooting 46 percent from the field, it wasn't enough as the Broncos dominated the glass and were lights out from behind the arc, finishing 12-for-27 from long range. Delhi outrebounded the Lions 44-34, including 19 offensive boards that led to 18 second chance points.

Top Performers

Junior Jacob Solano (Bethlehem, Pa.) led the Lions in scoring for the third straight game, dropping 21 points while adding three steals. Junior Jordan Singletary (Houston, Tx.) notched his second straight double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. His six blocks were also a game and season high.

Sophomore Nick Nowak (Philadelphia, Pa.) and freshman Robbie Hopkins (Mountain Top, Pa.) rounded out Hazleton's double digit scorers with 10 and 12 points, respectively.

1st Half

Two early four-point Hazleton leads were quickly erased by Delhi. Tied at 7-7, the next five minutes would see five lead changes and a tie in a back-and-forth contest. Delhi would take a 14-13 lead with 10:54 remaining in the half and would never trail again, as their pressure forced the Lions into a flurry of mistakes during a 10-0 Bronco run.

Singletary hit a three-pointer for the second straight night to make it a six-point game but Delhi used an 18-9 run to end the half ahead 40-25.

2nd Half

The teams traded baskets early in the second half as Hazleton still trailed by 15 with 17 minutes to play. Hopkins hit a three and Nowak added a layup to cut the lead to 10. A defensive stop gave the Lions an opportunity to cut the lead to single digits but they couldn't convert on their ensuing possession.

Hazleton would eventually cut it to eight two possessions later after Singletary hit two free throws followed by a floater in the lane from Hopkins at the 14:28 mark. Delhi wouldn't let it get any closer, using a 12-2 run over the next 2:30 to extend their lead back to 18. Hazleton couldn't get much closer as Delhi shot 8-for-15 from beyond the arc in the half, seemingly draining a three every time Hazleton made a push to cut the deficit.

Next Up

Hazleton gets two days off before welcoming NCAA Division II Bloomsburg University on Friday, November 11th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium.