Shippensburg University men’s basketball won their first home game of the season against Wilmington 81-77 in overtime at Heiges Field House on Wednesday.
Wilmington started the scoring with a 3-point shot about 20 seconds into the game. Both teams exchanged possession of the ball equally throughout the first half.
Sophomore Timmy Conner scored tying the Raiders and Wildcats 37-37 with 40 seconds left in the first half. The Wildcats returned with a 3-point shot. The Raiders were down 40-37 at halftime.
At the beginning of the second half, the Wildcats gained a six-point lead. Redshirt-freshman Markus Frank scored six straight. This tied the game 48-48 with just over 14-minutes remaining.
A total of five lead changes occurred over a 10-minute period with both teams scoring evenly.
With 1 minute and 6 seconds remaining, the game was tied again 66-66. Trey Martin scored to give the Raiders a lead, but the Wildcats answered with a basket as well.
At the end of regulation, they were tied 68-68.
Shippensburg was first to score in overtime. About 20 seconds into the period, Trey Martin scored with a layup.
At 3 minutes remaining in overtime, the Wildcats had a 4-point lead over the Raiders. Redshirt junior Ty Crespo hit his fifth 3-pointer of the night making it a 1-point game.
Martin scored his first 3-pointer of the night, tying the game again at 77-77.
Crespo earned a free throw, giving the Raiders their final lead of the game with 37 seconds left in overtime. The Raiders played strong defense and secured the win.
Shippensburg’s next game is at Chestnut Hill on Monday. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
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