Men's Basketball falls to PSU Scranton, 86-79

SCRANTON, Pa. - Freshman Jacob Solano (Bethlehem, Pa.) scored a career-best 37 points in a losing effort, as Penn State Hazleton fell 86-79 at Penn State Worthington Scranton in a Penn State University Athletic Conference men's basketball game on Wednesday night.

Solano was joined in double figures by three teammates, including freshman Chris Woodring's(Hazleton, Pa.) 12 points. Woodring also added four steals and three assists for the Nittany Lions (6-8, 4-5 PSUAC). Freshman Jordan Singletary (Houston, Tx.) contributed 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while sophomore Tyreek Fairfax (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored 11.

Scranton picked up an early 23-8 lead, but Hazleton used an extended 29-14 run to tie the game at 37-37 headed into halftime. The teams traded baskets, and the lead, for the first five minutes in the second half. Scranton then used a 12-0 run to grab a 58-49 lead with 12:44 remaining, a lead they would not relinquish. Hazleton cut the lead to three on multiple occasions, but could not get any closer as another late run for Scranton spread the lead back to as much as nine.

Scranton shot 52 percent from the field, while the Nittany Lions finished 27-for-68 (39.7 percent). Scranton also won the rebounding battle, 34-23. Hazleton finished nearly perfect from the free throw line, going 21-for-22, good for a season-best 95.5 percent.

Hasiin Dixon scored 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Scranton, while teammate AJ Newell added 17 points. Cullen Fanning scored 15 points off the bench for the Lions.

Hazleton hosts Penn State DuBois on Sunday, January 25 at 4:00 p.m. in PSUAC play.