The Shippensburg University men’s basketball team demolished Georgian Court 77-54, using strong defense and balanced scoring to win its season opener at Heiges Field House on Friday night.
In Shippensburg University’s first game of the Wolf Bus Lines Classic the Raiders limited the Lions to 28-percent shooting, the lowest of any opponent since Neumann in 2006.
Senior Dylan Edgar, returning after an injury-redshirt 2013 season, made his presence felt in the lineup picking up 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting with a team-high seven rebounds.
Junior Jay Hardy had a big night as well, leading the Raiders with 21 points, three blocks and six rebounds. He also had two impressive dunks in the contest and a highlight-reel block at the end of the first half.
Freshmen Dustin Sleva and Justin McCarthur started for SU and found success. Sleva finished with nine points and four rebounds and McCarthur picked up seven points, two rebounds and two steals on the night.
Sophomore guard Abe Massaley posted 11 assists in the game, the most of any Raider since 2010.
After a tough 2013 season in which the team finished 3-23, the team was fired up after the win.
“We got off on the right foot and our guys played well,” said second-year SU head coach Chris Fite. “Its nice to get a win and its nice to win comfortably. We haven’t had too many 20-point leads in a long time so we feel really good after tonight.”
In the second game of the Classic the Raiders took on Felician in a spirited matchup in which SU came out on top 79-68.
Edgar and Hardy had huge nights, Edgar with a double-double and Hardy putting up 18 points and shooting 66 percent through both games; both were selected to the All-Tournament Team after the game.
McCarthur finished the game with 15 points and only one turnover, and Sleva provided excellent defense as well as six points on the night.
Massaley led the team in assists with seven, and totaled 17 points on the night.
“For us moving forward we have to keep focused on the next step and what can we do to find success,” said Fite. “Hopefully we can keep having performances like tonight and really rack up some wins this year.”
The Raiders return to action Wednesday night at Heiges, where they take on Wilmington at 7 p.m.
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.