Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Valley Forge Christian College men’s basketball team won 71-66 over Penn State Brandywine in the opening round of the Heritage’s Dairy Stores Classic. The tournament is being held at Rowan University.
Valley Forge Christian (10-3) will play the winner of the Berkeley College/Rowan game in the championship on Saturday at 3 p.m. Penn State Brandywine (2-6) meets the loser in the consolation game prior at a 1 p.m.
Guard Nate Stoner led the Patriots with game-highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Justyn Mitchell followed with 16 points and guard Mike Stum contributed with 13. Guard Keith Watkins dished six assists.
For the Lions, guard Kyle Haggerty scored 17 points while guard Marvin Dukes had 15. Forward Dave Segura added 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Forward John Sheehan totaled 12 points and eight boards.
In the second period, Penn State Brandywine had a 12 point advantage (49-37) at 15:45 after Dukes' layup. Valley Forge Christian pulled within two points (52-50) on Watkins’ basket with 12:27 left. Segura made the second of two free throws (8:36) that made the score 54-52. The game was then tied four times before the Patriots took the lead for good. The last one was at 2:03 (64-64). Watkins made a layup (1:49) that put Valley Forge Christian up (66-64) and Mitchell added two foul shots (:51) for a four point advantage. In the last 21 seconds, the Patriots were three for four from the foul line. Stoner totaled 13 points and 10 rebounds in the second half.
The score was tied at 12 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half`. Valley Forge Christian went up by three points (16-13) on a jumper by Mitchell at 13:16. Penn State Brandywine tied the score at 18 (9:28) on Haggerty’s three-pointer then Dukes had a layup (9:00) to lead by two (20-18). Stoner sank two foul shots tying the game at 20 (8:44). The Lions then had a 15-4 run that ended at 1:56 for an 11 point advantage (35-24). Guard Nagbae Saylee and Dukes each contributed with five points. Penn State Brandywine was ahead at the intermission, 39-30. Mitchell and Haggerty each posted 12 first half points.
