Hazleton ends the 2024-25 season with split during week 11

Hazleton, Pa. - The Nittany Lions season came to an end this week with Hazleton going 1-1 in a pair of tough conference matchups. Hazleton prevailed on Tuesday night, topping Penn State Scranton for the second time this season before dropping the final game of the year to Penn State Schuylkill. Hazleton finishes the year with a 9-14 overall record and a 6-12 record in conference play. 

Tuesday, February 18: Penn State Hazleton 72, Penn State Scranton 63 - Final

Hazleton led wire to wire on Tuesday night but Scranton would make a game of it late in the action. The Lions surged at the start of the second half to build an impressive 25 point lead with 13 minutes remaining in the game until a dry spell on the offensive end allowed the Scranton squad to close the gap. Hazleton would score just six points over the next eight minutes of play while surrenduring 24 to the home team, but Hazleton would get key scores from third year Andre Campbell and fourth year Dante Harward down the stretch to come away with the win. 

Campbell had his way with Scranton for the majority of the evening, leading Hazleton with 25 points on Tuesday, adding five rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the win. Hardward chipped in his fifth double-double of the year, totaling 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists while fourth year Joey Lombardo cashed in four triples for 12 points to help the Lions to victory. 

Friday, February 21: Penn State Schuylkill 68, Penn State Hazleton 53 - Final

It was a tough shooting night on Friday for Hazleton who went just 18-for-60 from the field against the Schuylkill squad. Depsite the struggles, Hazleton held a slim lead over the visitors from much of the first half before a late run left the Lions trailing 35-32 at the midway point. Hazleton kept within reach until the final 5 minutes of play when Schuylkill put the game away with an 8-0 run to go up 16 points. Ultimately Schuylkill's ability to close out the periods allowed them to issue Hazleton a loss despite Hazleton's defense holding the visitors well below their season scoring average. 

Three Nittany Lions finished in double-figures in the season finale including a team-high from third year player Shamell Ponds who totaled 14 points in reserve work for Hazleton. Dante Harward finished with back to back double-doubles to end the season, nabbing 10 rebounds and 11 points on Friday, while fourth year Connor Rushing registered 11 points and nine rebounds in the loss.