Offense erupts in second half as Hazleton wins conference opener

Dunmore, Pa. - The Nittany Lions moved to 1-0 in the PSUAC following Wednesday night's 80-60 road win at Penn State Scranton. After a closely contested first half, Hazleton struck for 45 second half points, turning a slim, four point halftime advantage into a double-digit victory thanks to 62 percent field goal rating and seven three point baskets in the final 20 minutes of play. 

Wednesday's contests was very much up for grabs until midway through the second half. Scranton scored the first four points of the final period to knot the score at 35-35 and kept within two possessions of the lead for the next eight minutes of play. But as the half progressed, the Hazleton offense began to heat up. A pivotal 10-2 run by Hazleton at the 12 minute mark saw the Lions expand a six point cushion into a 14 point advantage thanks in part to a pair of triples from sophomores Aiden Wiktor (Danville, Pa.) and Donovan Cumberbatch (Springfield Gardens, Ny.) and Scranton never recovered from the run. From that point on, the Lions were on fire, scoring 29 points in the final ten minutes of action and never allowed Scranton to get within single digits of tying the game. 

Hazleton spread the wealth in Wednesday night's victory, getting for players into double figures offensively with Wiktor and sophomore Jahdon Jerome (Cambria Heights, Ny.) leading the charge with 19 points each. Wiktor connected on 4-of-7 shots from beyond the arc to finish the game 7-of-13 from the field while Jerome was especially efficient from mid range and in the paint, going 9-for-13 from the field. Sophomore Colin Johnson (Raleigh, Nc.) added 11 points and a team high six rebounds in the win while Cumberbatch totaled 10 points, four assists and two steals.