Brandywine Drops United East Opener

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine led by two at halftime, but a slow start to the second half doomed the Lions, who dropped their United East Conference opener 73-55 at Penn College on Tuesday night.

Brandywine overcame an early nine-point deficit as Joey Brusha (Abington, Pa./Abington) canned back-to-back three-pointers and Alexander Derkits (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) scored eight-straight points during a 14-3 surge that put Brandywine on top 24-22.

The teams swapped the lead twice during the next three minutes before Derkits buried a triple at the 2:08 mark, the final points of the half for either team, giving Brandywine a 33-31 edge at intermission.

Three-pointers from Amari Little (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) and Javon Nelson (Philadelphia, Pa./String Theory) represented the only points for Brandywine during the first nine minutes of the second period. Penn College took advantage, outscoring the Lions 22-6 to grab a 53-39 edge near the midpoint of the half.

The Lions trimmed the Wildcats' lead to 11 four times during the final 10 minutes, but would get no closer as Penn College responded with points during each of its ensuing possessions to hold off Brandywine.

Derkits paced the Lions with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Brusha tallied 11 points, four rebounds and three steals. Little chipped in with eight points and Wright added seven markers.

Brandywine committed just seven turnovers, but Penn College limited the Lions to 10-of-39 shooting from beyond the arc and the Wildcats held a 50-27 edge on the boards.

Brandywine (2-6, 0-1 UEC) continues conference action on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Lancaster Bible (7:00 PM).