Men’s Basketball Wins Opening Round

Sophomore point guard #11 Kitt Najee Walls had 13 points and 7 assists in the opening round. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki Sophomore point guard #11 Kitt Najee Walls had 13 points and 7 assists in the opening round. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
Sophomore point guard #11 Kitt Najee Walls had 13 points and 7 assists in the opening round. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
Sophomore point guard #11 Kitt Najee Walls had 13 points and 7 assists in the opening round.
Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki

By Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor

ESU’s Men’s Basketball team won the opening round of the PSAC Tournament by defeating the Lock Haven University Bald Eagles 106-87 in front of the Koehler Krazies last Monday night. With the win, the Warriors advanced to the PSAC quarterfinal game against Shippensburg University.

Earlier on Jan. 28, Lock Haven beat ESU 89-82. The Warriors wanted to avenge their road loss and came out fired up and ready to play.

Nevertheless, Lock Haven was able to match ESU’s intensity for the first several minutes. Tied at 12, ESU went on a 9-0 scoring run to make the game 21-12.

With ESU leading 34-25, the Warriors went on another incredible run scoring 15 unanswered points. Two minutes before halftime, the Warriors led the Bald Eagles 49-25, and the game was effectively over.

Senior forward Rasheed Wallace was a beast. He has been ESU’s heart and soul this season, and he led the Warriors in this game with 33 points and 16 rebounds for a double-double. Moore also had four three-point baskets to lead the Warriors in that category.

Guard Quindell Brice, ESU’s other senior, had 17 points and five rebounds.

Sophomore point guard Kitt Najee Walls had 13 points and 7 assists to pace the Warriors.

Freshman forward Kobi Nwandu came off the bench to contribute eight points for the Warriors.

There were three key statistical categories for the Warriors. ESU held a 35-15 edge over Lock Haven in points off turnovers, and the Warriors had 18 second chance points to only seven for the Bald Eagles. Finally, ESU had a 12-5 edge over Lock Haven in steals.

ESU (18-10, 15-7) advanced to play Shippensburg at Heiges Field House last night.

Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu