WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn College dropped an 88-73 decision to Penn State Harrisburg in a United East men's basketball contest Friday. The Wildcats fell to 0-2 United East, 5-6 overall, while the Nittany Lions improved 2-0, 5-6.

How it happened: Penn College jumped out to a 45-40 halftime lead before Harrisburg outscored the Wildcats, 48-28, in the second.

The Wildcats began the game with a 15-5 lead on Max Jackowky's three with 16:04 left in the first. The Lions pulled with one, 35-34, with 4:41 on the clock before a Reese Watkins layup a minute later gave PCT a 39-34 advantage. After the Lions made it a one-point game again, 41-40, Watkins ended the half with a pair of layup to put the Wildcats ahead 45-40 at the break.

Gavin Barrett's layup with 14:27 left in the game gave Penn College its final lead, 57-55, before Harrisburg went on 14-2 run and took a double-digit lead, and never trailed the remainder of the game.

Inside the box: Barrett paced the Wildcats with 20 points, a game-high six assists, and a team-best eight rebounds. Watkins finished with 15, and Jackowsky added 11.

Scott Zegary III led all scorers with 21 points for the Lions.

Up next: Penn College returns to action Wednesday, 7 p.m., hosting Penn State Berks.