Box Score Â
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Jackson Hyland scored a career-high 30 points, and Tyrell Long added 24, as host West Chester downed visiting Millersville, 80-67, inside Hollinger Field House Wednesday evening.
West Chester (8-9, 6-6 PSAC) holds sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Division standings, following Bloomsburg's loss at Kutztown. Millersville falls to 5-11 overall and 4-8 in conference play.
Hyland put together his most complete performance of his career Wednesday night, grabbing nine rebounds and adding five assists. Long registered a double-double with 12 boards. He also was credited with three steals and a pair of blocked shots.
Thomas White scored five points and grabbed seven rebounds in the win.
West Chester jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the early going and never trailed the whole game. Millersville got the deficit under double digits just once the rest of the way - 51-42 at the 14-minute mark of the second half. The Marauders shot 34.5 percent from the field in the first half (10-for-29) as the hosts ran out to a 37-26 advantage at the break. Meanwhile, the Golden Rams posted season-high numbers from both 3-point range (52.2 percent [12 of 23]) and the free throw line (83.3 percent [10 of 12]). West Chester buried eight 3-pointers in the first half to keep Millersville at bay.
The 67 points allowed by the Golden Rams was the second-lowest opponent point total on the year and the first time that West Chester held its opponent under 70 in the last two months - a span of 13 games. The Rams forced 16 Millersville turnovers and were credited with 11 steals.
West Chester's offense was running smoothly most of the game as 23 of the team's 29 baskets had an assist tied to them. Matt Penecale led the way with seven helpers. He also contributed six points and four steals to the cause.
The Golden Rams have now won two straight, and three of their last five. Wednesday marked the return of two opening day starters in Hyland and Malik Jackson (7 points).
West Chester continues its current homestand on Saturday with a 3 p.m. tipoff against PSAC East foe Lock Haven inside Hollinger Field House.
