Lions face defeat at Northampton Community College

Bethlehem, Pa. - Hazleton dropped to a record of 1-1 on season following Tuesday night's loss at Northampton Community College by the score of 64-48. Hazleton shot just 31 percent from the field on Tuesday including under 10 percent from beyond the arc and had their solid defensive effort squashed by the Spartans who dominated the rebounding column at both ends of the floor. 

Hazleton had opportunities early in the game however the Lions were set back by a pouring shooting effort in the team's first road game. The Lions shot a combined 9-for-36 in the first half watched the Northampton squad jump ahead and stay ahead from the opening whistle. Hazleton got several bursts of offense as a result of a defensive effort that forced 14 first half turnovers by the Spartans and trailed by just three points with little more than four minutes remaining in the half but connected on just two field goals in the final minute of play and trailed 30-23 at the break. 

The Lions cleaned up their shooting in the second half of the game but gave Northampton too many possessions in the second half where they faced a double-figure deficit for the bulk of the third and fourth quarters. Northampton held the Lions to just nine rebounds in the half and forced 16 turnovers over the next two quarters. The Spartans methodically extended their lead, going up by as many as 19 points late in the action and cruised to a 16 point victory. 

Four Spartans cracked double-figures in the game and together, Northampton out-rebounding the Lions 42-28 in the victory. Hazleton was led by freshman Rocky Curry (Darby, Pa.) who tallied a game-high 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting while junior Justine Bernazeau (Trellisac, FR) scored six points on the night with six steals to her credit. 

Next up: Hazleton will look to bounce back after a week of practice before taking on their first Penn State University Athletic Conference challenge of the new season. Hazleton will host Penn State Scranton on Tuesday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium.