WEST CHESTER, Pa.-After a hard-fought overtime loss at Millersville on Wednesday, which prevented today's clash from being for the outright PSAC East regular season title, the West Chester University men's basketball team (20-7, 14-6) returns to action this afternoon against East Stroudsburg (20-7, 14-6) in a game, which retains major postseason implications. Opening tip is set for 3 p.m.
West Chester vs East Stroudsburg
Game Details: Saturday, February 28 I 3 P.M.
Location: Hollinger Field House (West Chester, Pa.)
Series: 94-81
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Last Time Out
West Chester is back in action on Saturday after a lengthy, hard-fought loss to Millersville on the road on Wednesday night by an 82-76 final in overtime. West Chester closed the game on a 10-2 run to hold a 70-68 lead with under 20 seconds to play in a game that eventually went to overtime after a Saraj Ali layup. In OT, Millersville jumped out to an early lead and never trailed, outscoring the Golden Rams 12-6 in the five-minute period to escape with a six-point win over the visiting Golden Rams. West Chester shot just 26.5 % (18-of-68) from the field in the loss, including a 6-for-21 (28.6 %) effort from three-point range, while also going 34-for-48 (70.8 %) at the free throw line. Millersville shot 52.2 % (12-of-23) from the field in the second half and 75.0 % (18-of-24) at the line to nearly earn the win in regulation before shooting 66.7 % (2-for-3) from the field in OT along with a 7-for-8 (87.5 %) effort at the line to finish the game shooting 44.0 % (22-of-50) from the field and 31.8 % (7-of-22) from three-point range, while also going 31-for-41 (75.6 %) at the line.
Gabe Moss (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) led six Golden Rams in double figures with 14 points, including eight of those 14 at the free throw line, while
Ruben Rodriguez Jr. (Reading, Pa./Reading) finished with a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Flock Talk
West Chester enters play averaging 85.6 points per game on 47.7 % shooting from the field and 34.1 % from beyond the arc, while also shooting 70.1 % at the free throw line, along with a 40.3-30.0 (+10.3) lead in rebounding, along with a +2.7 (17.4-14.7) lead in turnovers. Rodriguez Jr. leads West Chester in most major categories, including scoring (14.9/g), rebounding (6.7/g), assists (4.4/g), and turnovers (2.0/g).
Anthony McCall (Philadelphia, Pa./ANC) is second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game and 4.8 assists, which is also second on the team, while also ranking third in assists, averaging 1.7, which trails
Dylan Blair (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) and his 4.0 per game that is second best on the team.
Thank You Seniors
Before Saturday's game, West Chester will honor its senior class, which includes
Dinari Boykin (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley), Anthony McCall (Philadelphia, Pa./ANC), Davante Dennis (Baltimore, Md./Red Lion), Luke Boyd (Somerton, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), and Nix Varano (Chalfont, Pa./La Salle College HS), for their effort and dedication to the program throughout their time on University Ave.
The Playoff Picture
Saturday's game carries major postseason implications for both sides as a WCU win would make the Golden Rams the second seed with a share of the regular-season title and ESU no higher than fourth, while an East Stroudsburg win would have the opposite effect, giving ESU a share of the Regular Season crown and the top seed, while shuffling West Chester to as low as fourth if Shepherd defeats Bloomsburg. Saturday's result could also go a long way in determining which, if any, PSAC East teams will make the NCAA Tournament, as WCU (#8) and ESU (#10) are squarely on the bubble in the latest regional rankings.
Superlative Central
West Chester is outscoring opponents in the paint (1,138/42.1-844/31.3), in second-chance points (480/17.8-246/9.1), and in points off turnovers (572/21.2-431/15.9) through 27 games.
Second Chances
The Golden Rams are fourth in Division II in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 15.8, third in rebounding margin (+10.3), 15th in rebounding (40.3), and 12th in turnovers forced (17.5).
The Second Unit
West Chester's bench is outscoring opponents 784-625 this season, averaging 29.0 points per game, which is third best in the PSAC and 35th nationally. The Golden Ram bench has outscored the opposing bench 18 times in 27 games this season.
Home Cooking
West Chester is 69-18 (.793) at home since 2019-20 and is 23-4 at home in the last two seasons after an unbeaten regular season in Hollinger last winter.
Series History
West Chester holds a 94-81 lead in the all-time series over East Stroudsburg with wins in each of the last two meetings, including an 84-80 win in Hollinger last February and an 85-82 win in Koehler Field House for the first time since 2023 earlier this season. West Chester is 4-6 against East Stroudsburg over the last 10 games but 13-13 in its last 26 home games against the Warriors, with home wins in February 2023 and 2025.
Scouting ESU
East Stroudsburg enters play on Saturday afternoon following a 99-86 win over Kutztown at home in front of a crowd of nearly 1,300 on Wednesday night. ESU jumped out to a 49-31 lead at the half and used this halftime lead to hold off a second-half comeback bid by the Golden Bears, securing a 13-point victory in its regular-season home finale. East Stroudsburg shot 48.6 % (35-of-72) from the field in the win, including a 13-for-32 (40.6 %) effort from beyond the arc, while also going 16-for-27 (59.3 %) at the free throw line. Jalen Pichardo led five Warriors in double figures with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, along with eight rebounds, while Ethan Milirons and Adrian Brito added 17 and 15 off the bench, along with 14 and 13 from Ethan Maynard and Nasir Griffin.
East Stroudsburg enters play riding a four-game winning streak, averaging 88.9 points per game on 48.0 % shooting from the field and 34.7 % from beyond the arc, while also holding a 38.8-32.9 lead in rebounding and a +2.7 (17.4-14.7) lead in turnovers entering the final day of the regular season. Brito and Maynard lead the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 and 12.0 points per game, respectively, while Pichardo is first on the team in rebounding, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game. Keni Williams leads ESU in assists, averaging 3.2 per game, while former Golden Ram Payne is second, averaging 3.0 assists per game.
Up Next
West Chester will open the PSAC Tournament next week at home. What remains to be determined is if West Chester will open its PSAC Tournament at home on Monday or Wednesday, depending on seeding after Saturday's games conclude.
