Solid second half shooting leads Albright past Knights 72-59

READING, PA: (Jan. 19, 2011) - After an 11 point lead at the half, Albright College Men's Basketball shot an impressive 68.2% from the floor and remained in front of Arcadia University by double digits the entire half to earn their fourth win in Commonwealth Conference play 72-59 at home Wednesday evening. Arcadia (4-10, 0-6 CC) remains in search of their first win in league play with one final game to close out the first half of Commonwealth action, hosting Messiah College on Saturday at 3 PM.

Albright's Matt Ashcroft could not be contained by Arcadia in the opening half, as the league's fifth leading scorer went 4 for 5 from three point land and finished the opening half with 16 points. Ashcroft led all scorer's by game's end with 19 points. The Lions opened the game with a 8-2 lead after four minutes of action but buckets by Arcadia's Darrell Mills '11, a three pointer from Damien Palantino 'GR and a jump shot from Jason Thompson '12 brought the Knights to within 1, 10-9 at 13:15. But Ashcroft hit for a three pointers at 12:56 and again at 7:58, part of a 14 -2 run by Albright, who took their largest lead of the first, a 13 point advantage (24-11) with 6:52 to go before the break. Buckets from Mills and Aaron Benuis '14 would bring the Knights back within 7 at 2:49 and again at 1:08 but Ashcroft closed first half scoring, laying one in off the glass to extend the Lions lead to 11 at the break (34-23).

Despite improved shooting from the Knights in the second half, Albright held Palantino, the Knight's leading scorer, without a second half point. Albright dominated the glass, out-rebounding Arcadia by a 44-29 margin and, despite committing 15 second half turnovers, enjoyed a double-digit lead over Arcadia for the final twenty minutes. Palantino led Arcadia with 9 points, all coming in the first half from way beyond the arc. Mills also scored 9 for the Knights while Benusis added 8 points and a team high 6 rebounds. Rashon Bock '14 scored 7 second half points off the bench for the Knights while Mike Fitzpatrick '14 scored a career high of 7 in 8 minutes of action.

The Lions out-shot the Knights from the floor 56.9% - 35.8%, from three point range 50% - 28.6% while the Knights enjoyed the advantage at the line, out-shooting Albright 50% -44.4%.

Along with Ashcroft's 19 points, the Lions (12-5, 4-2 CC) saw three other players score in double figures. Derek Hall finished with a double-double, 14 points, 10 rebounds, while Shane Irwin and Cornell Mickens contributed 11 points apiece.

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