Hazleton loses nail-biter against undefeated Mont Alto

Hazleton, Pa. - Battling for the post-season lives, the Nittany Lions put forth a tremendous effort against the 13-0 Mont Alto squad on Tuesday night. Hazleton had the visitors on the verge of their first conference loss of the season, leading the Mont Alto squad by three points with less than five minutes to play, but the Lions would go just 1-for-6 down the stretch, allowing the visitors to escape with a 57-54 victory.

Tuesday night's heated contest was close throughout the night.Mont Alto held an early seven point advantage but from the 10 minute mark one, this was a one possession game to finish out the first half, including three lead changes in the final 90 seconds of action. Third year Shamell Ponds closed out the half with a lay up to cut Mont Alto's half time lead to just one point at 30-29 but as play resumed in the second half, Mont Alto gained momentum to open up a nine point cushion, their largest of the game. Despite facing the brunt of a 10-2 run by the visitors, Hazleton clawed their way back into the game following a time out at the 15 minutes mark. Over the next five minutes of play, Hazleton third year Andre Campbell and fourth year Dante Harward combined for 10 points of their own, bringing the score to 44-43 in favor of Mont Alto. After trading baskets for several minutes, Ponds struck from beyond the arc to put the Lions on top 50-49 and Campbell followed up with a second chance opportunity to give Hazleton a 52-49 lead with 6:25 to play. 

Despite limiting to just eight points in the final seven minutes of play, Hazleton found themselves struggling on offense down the stretch. Mont Alto covered up the paint in the final minutes, allowing the Lions outside opportunities and turned the Lions over on four possessions. Hazleton missed on five triples down the stretch but following a lay up by fourth year, Connor Rushing, the Lions still found themselves within reach, trailing 55-54. Mont Alto converted a pair at the line in the ensuing possession and Hazleton got a look to tie the game, but came up empty to fall 57-54.

Shamell Ponds was Hazleton's top scorer on the night, converting tough shots in the lane and beyond to keep the Lions in the hunt. Ponds notched 18 points in 38 minutes on Tuesday, adding six rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots. Dante Harward pitched in 11 points and seven rebounds respectively while Rushing added 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in defeat. 

Hazleton remains mathematically alive for a post-season berth but the road just got a lot tough. The Lions will need help as they go down the final stretch beginning with a must-win game at Penn State York on Tuesday, February 10th.