Late Three-Pointer Sinks Men’s Basketball, 72-71

ABINGTON, Pa. – The Nittany Lions buried a go-ahead three-point basket with only 10 seconds left in regulation time as the Wells College men's basketball team posted a 72-71 loss to Penn St.-Abington Saturday evening. With the loss, the Express drop to 7-10 overall on the season and to 3-4 overall within North Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Nittany Lions improve to 5-12 overall on the year and to 3-3 within league play.

The Express possessed a 71-69 lead with 22 seconds remaining in regulation as freshman Jordan Bishop (Arlington, Texas) buried both foul shots following a Max Alton infraction. With play resumed, the Nittany Lions' Mike Colacci hammered home his fifth three-point basket of the game as Penn St.-Abington jumped out in front 72-71 with 10 seconds left. Regaining possession, Bishop got off a jump shot with one second remaining but missed, granting the Nittany Lions the victory.

Cumulatively, Jonathan Hurtado (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and E.J. Taylor (Tampa Bay, Fla.) each scored 15 points for the Express, with Hurtado shooting 6-for-11 from the field while Taylor chipped in a team-leading two three-pointers. Al Paul (Elmont, N.Y.) tallied 14 points of his own in the contest, reaching double-digit point totals for the fourth time this season.

The Express carried a 15 point deficit into the locker room at halftime, having allowed the Nittany Lions to secure a game-best 15 point lead following a Mike Marvin jumper as time expired. To start the second half, the Express still trailed the host Nittany Lions by 15 with 17:25 remaining in the contest following an Alton three-point basket.

However, the Express outscored the host Nittany Lions by a 24-to-4 margin in the paint while also posting 15 points off of turnovers, allowing them to eventually tie the game at 67 with 1:50 remaining in regulation time. Down the stretch, Bishop was able to convert all four of his foul shots in the final 1:50 to help retake the lead.

After tying the game with two foul shots, the Express' Jonathan Bonds (Chicago, Ill.) threw up a successful layup with 57 seconds remaining to take a 69-67 lead. However, Alton quickly answered with a jump shot with 47 seconds remaining to tie the game at 69 aside prior to Colacci's heroics.

For the Nittany Lions, Alton poured home a team-best 28 points without tallying a single rebound. Shooting 10-for-13 from the floor, Alton also buried four three-point baskets. Marvin posted a double-double, scooping up 21 rebounds in addition to his 18 points. Colacci, who proved to be the hero down the stretch for Penn St.-Abington, finished with 18 points off of five three-point baskets and only one foul shot conversion.

The Express return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 23 as they open up a three game homestand against the Mustangs of Morrisville St. at 7:00 p.m. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).