Box Score Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University’s men’s basketball team opened the 2011-12 campaign on Sunday evening with a 62-53 win against visiting University of Sciences at Hollinger Field House.
Lance McDowell had a team-high 17 points for the Golden Rams (1-0) while Khalif Foster chipped in 10 points. Gary Lawrence led West Chester on the glass with nine rebounds. Jon Breeden dished out a squad-leading four assists to go along with nine points.
The Golden Rams led, 32-28, at halftime, after a first half that saw five lead changes and five ties. Tim Flecken tied the score (18-18) for the fifth time in the opening stanza when he sunk a three-pointer with 6:17 to play in the half. The Golden Rams pushed their lead to 25-18 with 4:24 remaining in the first on what was a 10-0 run for the hosts. After the Devils trimmed the lead to one, 27-26, just inside one minute left in the period, McDowell hit two free throws and connected on a three to give West Chester the 32-28 halftime lead.
West Chester came out of the locker room to extend its margin to 37-28 less than two minutes into the half. However, University of Sciences went on a 12-0 run over 4:55 to claim the 40-37 edge. USCI held on to the advantage until a jumper from West Chester’s Corey Blake put the Golden Rams back on top, 45-44, with 7:46 left.
The contest was knotted for the eighth time with 6:42 remaining at 46-46, when the Golden Rams scored six straight points. Despite the Devils coming within two (52-50) with 3:32 left in regulation, West Chester continued to push the lead, and eventually won by nine, 62-53.
University of Sciences placed four players in double figures, including the trio of Myer Messinger, William Kernan and Garret Kerr with 12 points. Kerr finished with a double-double adding a team-leading 11 rebounds.
West Chester returns to action on Tuesday night traveling to Philadelphia University at 8 p.m.
