ANN ARBOR, MI – Penn State Schuylkill men's basketball team took on University of Michigan-Dearborn, in what was the second of two contests between the two teams. Schuylkill would come up short, falling to Dearborn in a hard-fought battle, 62-56.
Schuylkill showed a sense of urgency from the opening tip, starting off with a made 3-point basket by Pau Pumarola (Barcelona, Spain / IMG Academy) assisted by Antwuan Byrd (Harrisburg, PA / Bishop McDevitt High School). Byrd continued to look for his teammates, this time connecting with Andrew Sepp (Bogota, NJ / Saint Mary High School) at the top of the key for another 3-point make. Dearborn immediately responded with a three of their own which was the start of their 7-0 run. A made layup by Bryce Hensley (Auburn, PA / Blue Mountain High School) halted the run with 15:03 remaining in the half.
Schuylkill continued to attack, taking their first lead of the contest after a made layup by Pumarola. A 5-0 stretch by Schuylkill would give them a 20-17 advantage with 7:50 left to play in the half. The lead was extended to six following a 3-point make by Byrd. Byrd continued his hot shooting, crossing over his defender and pulling up at the elbow for a 2-point field goal.
Schuylkill's lead was extended to eight following a made layup by Sepp with 2:08 left in the half. Dearborn would close the gap to 27-25 following a 6-0 run highlighted by a made 3-point basket to beat the buzzer.
Dearborn went on a 14-2 run to begin the second half, giving them a 39-29 lead with 15:39 remaining. Schuylkill would then close the gap to 52-48 with 8:02 left in regulation after a series of made layups.
A made 3-point basket by Derrick McCummings (Baumholder, Germany / Baumholder High School) would bring Schuylkill within one with 5:14 remaining in the contest. McCummings would answer the call once again, converting on a breakaway layup to bring the deficit back to one following two made Dearborn free throws. Dearborn would go 2 for 2 from the line once again to stretch the lead to 59-56 with 1:33 left in regulation.
A late charge call on Schuylkill with 29 seconds left would put Schuylkill in a foul situation. Dearborn would convert both free throws, pushing the lead to five. Schuylkill would have one last chance at a comeback, falling short on a 3-point attempt which ultimately put the game out of reach.
Byrd led Schuylkill with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Hensley added 9 points and 4 rebounds. McCummings showed up big down the stretch, with all 7 of his points coming late in the second half. Dashawn Dixon (Baltimore, MD / Cantonsville High School) had a huge game rebounding the ball, notching 15 to go along with 6 points.
Following the holiday break, Schuylkill (5-10. 5-1 PSUAC) will compete in four straight conference games on the road, beginning with a matchup against Penn State Wilkes-Barre on January 11th.
