ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Dickinson men's basketball put three players in double-digits and held a sizable 26-6 advantage in points in the paint, but it would not be enough on the night as the host Muhlenberg College survived a late charge from the Red and White to secure a 56-53 conference win inside Memorial Hall. The Mules were aided in their victory by a strong shooting night from long-range knocking down 10 triples, including going five-of-seven in the second half, while the Devils buried just three.
First Half
- It took over two minutes to see the first points of the game as Dane Moran notched a layup. However, eight points by Jack Woodard sparked a 13-2 charge for the hosts to take a 13-4 edge with 12:55 left.
- Over the ensuing four minutes buckets for Ryan Leskauskas, Ian Polonowski and Moran trimmed the gap to 18-11 at the 11:30 mark.
- That stretch kicked off a run of eight consecutive points thanks to contributions from Jacob Pichay, Leskauskas and Moran making it 19-18 visitors inside of five minutes remaining.
- Muhlenberg quickly tied the game when Arinze Achufusi split a pair on the line and a trey out of the hands of Peter Stanton-Shepherd nudged the Mules in front 22-19.
- A layup by Pichay along with a free throw for Pichay knotted the score at 22-22, but Achufusi buried a shot from distance to give the home side a 25-22 halftime edge.
Second Half
- The trio of Isiah Edmond, Moran and Polonowski used the first two minutes to run off seven straight points to jump ahead 27-25.
- Muhlenberg then got hot from deep with triples by Drew Buck, Drew Greene, Stanton-Shepherd and Woodard aiding a 16-2 romp taking a 41-29 lead with 7:45 gone.
- A Leskauskas jumper, layups by the pair of Juan Ruiz and Edmond along with two foul shots converted by Pichay brought the guests to within two (41-39) at the halfway point.
- Over the next couple of minutes two free throws each for Achufusi and Pichay kept the gap at two (43-41),
- Dickinson finished off their comeback with a pair at the charity line from Pichay to tie things up (43-43), before Gavin D'Iorio and Woodard tallied five consecutive points to make it 48-43 with five minutes to play.
- The seesaw continued as Leskauskas setup Edmond for a layup and Pichay drilled a shot from downtown locking the score again at 48-48.
- Triples from D'Iorio and Pichay kept the score tied prior to a foul shot by Pichay making it 52-51 DC inside a minute left.
- Unfortunately for Dickinson, the Mules got points from Buck and Woodard to hold on for the 56-53 win.
Dickinson Top Performers
- Points - Pichay (16), Edmond and Moran (11)
- Rebounds - Ruiz (12), Polonowski (8), Moran and Pichay (7)
- Assists - Pichay and Ruiz (2), Matt Mahony and Leskauskas (1)
- Steals - Ruiz (2), Four players tied (1)
Opponent Top Performers
- Points - Woodard (16), Buck (15), Achufusi (11)
- Rebounds - Stanton-Shepherd (6), Hoffman (5), Four players tied (2)
- Assists - Green (4), Five players tied (1)
- Steals - Greene (2), Four players tied (1)
Up Next
- Dickinson (5-15, 2-6 Centennial) will try to continue their climb back into the postseason conversation on Saturday afternoon when they visit Chestertown, Maryland for a conference clash with Washington College (Md.). Tipoff is scheduled for 4pm inside of Fall Gymnasium.
