Center Valley, PA (March 19, 2021) - Lycoming College used a 22-5 run over the final 6:03 of the first half to open up a 20-point halftime lead en route to a 69-53 win over the DeSales University men's basketball team in the MAC Freedom Championship game on Friday evening in Billera Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: Lycoming - 69, DeSales - 53
• Records: DeSales (9-2 Overall); Lycoming (5-2 Overall)
• It was DSU's 14th appearance in the MAC Freedom title game.

How it Happened

• The first 14 minutes of this game was a championship level defensive battle as both teams struggled to convert on the offensive end with the Warriors clinging to an 18-15 lead at the 6:03 mark after a nifty driving lay-up from freshman Mason Barnes.
• Brendon Blackson scored on the other end igniting a 22-5 run over the final 6:03 of the half that started with 10 straight points from Lycoming and finished with LC taking a 40-20 lead into the locker room.
• The Bulldogs were just unable to cut into the deficit in the second-half, never getting any closer than 17 till the final moments of the game as Lycoming had an answer for every mini run DeSales put together.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Senior Timmy Edwards finished with a team-high 16 points and pulled down six boards.
• Junior Dat Lambert played well off the bench with 11 points and three steals.
• Barnes finished with seven points and three assists.

For the Foes

• DeAundre Manuel led all scorers with 19 points and was named the Most Valuable Player.
• D'Andre Edmond finished with 15 points and pulled down seven boards off the bench.
• Steven Hamilton also gave the Warriors a lift off the bench with 12 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DSU finished the game shooting just 33.9 percent from the half and hit just 23.3 percent over the first 20 minutes.
• Lycoming's bench accounted for almost half (33) of its 69 points.
• Neither team shot well from deep with the Warriors going 4-for-18 and DeSales converting just 2-for-15.