Marymount Downs Brandywine In Susquehanna Tournament Opening Round

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Penn State Brandywine men's basketball team was topped by Marymount University by a score of 65-55 during the first round of the Susquehanna University Tip-Off Tournament Friday night.

Brandywine led nearly wire-to-wire during the opening 20 minutes before a late three-pointer gave the Saints a 34-32 edge at the break.

The Lions surged early, scoring 12-straight points to take a 17-8 lead six minutes into the contest. Five players contributed points during the run, including five from Amari Little (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge), who buried a triple to give Brandywine a 17-8 edge.

Marymount steadily chipped away at the deficit, closing within two, but back-to-back layups from Jamar Wright (Wilmington, Del./Conrad School of Science) and Little and a three-pointer by Wright extended the margin back to nine points.

The Saints answered with the next five points and trimmed the margin to one on two occasions before using a pair of free throws to go in front with 55 seconds to go in the half. Jaden Fogg (Morrisville, Pa./Morrisville) sank a layup to give the Lions the lead back briefly, but Marymount connected on a triple just before the buzzer to hold a two-point lead at intermission.

Brandywine was limited to just seven points during the first 12 minutes of the second period and Marymount took advantage, opening its largest lead of the night at 57-39.

Fogg's jumper at the 7:01 mark jumpstarted the Lions' offense, which scored eight-straight points during the next five minutes to close within nine. A triple by Little cut the deficit to eight during the final minute.

Forced to foul, the Lions saw the Saints sink six free throws during the game's final 37 seconds to claim the win.

Little topped three double-figure scorers with 17 points, while Fogg added 14 points and Wright chipped in with 10. Fogg also led the rebounding effort with six boards. Joey Brusha (Abington, Pa./Abington) added four boards and a team-high three assists.

Brandywine shot 18-of-20 from the free throw stripe and 31 percent from the field, while limiting Marymount to 33 percent shooting. The Saints held a 46-28 edge on the boards.

Brandywine (1-3) will face either King's or the host River Hawks in the tournament's consolation game Saturday at 1:00 PM.