WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Penn College used a big first half and withstood a late Penn State Berks charge to earn its first United East men's basketball win of the season, 83-79, on Wednesday. Penn College now is 1-2 in the conference and 6-6 overall. Berks is 1-3 UE and 3-8 overall.
How it happened: The Wildcats led from start to finish, opening their first double-digit lead at 21-10 on a
Gavin Barrett layup with 12:42 left in the first half and taking a 19-point halftime lead at 42-23 on an
Alec Cooper jump shot with time expiring.
Early in the second half, Penn College continued to maintain its 19-point lead, the last time at 59-40 with 11:15 showing on a jumper by
Max Jackowsky, before Berks started to climb out of its hole by outscoring the Wildcats, 39-22, to pull within two at 81-79 with 15 seconds left. In its desperation, Berks was forced to foul down the stretch and Penn College was up to the task as it connected on 9 of 12 foul shots over the final 2:05 — including three by Barrett and two each by Jackowsky and Cooper — to secure the victory.
Inside the box: Barrett led the Wildcats with 22 points and seven assists, while Cooper scored 20 points and
Rees Watkins tallied 14 points.
Michael Woolridge led Penn College with eight rebounds.
Darik Tannis-Harriet topped Berks with 20 points.
Up next: Penn College hosts SUNY Morrisville in UE play at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
