Second Half Run Pushes Juniata Past Pitt-Bradford

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team hosted its final game of 2015 on Saturday afternoon against Pitt-Bradford. The Eagles used a big run in the second half to overtake the Panthers and come out with a 63-51 victory. JC improves its record to 9-1 overall while Pitt-Bradford falls to 2-6.

Juniata led for all but one minute of the first half, as it was up 10-4 with 15:40 remaining. The Panthers were able to remain close as they cut the deficit to three points, 14-11, with 9:35 showing on the game clock. A quick 7-0 run by the Eagles increased its lead to 21-11 at 6:48. Pitt-Bradford was able to reduce the lead to six points, 23-17, with 5:23 to play and the score would remain that way for 3:17 of game time as both squads exchanged missed baskets and turnovers.

The Panthers broke the scoring drought with just over two minutes remaining on a jumper by Eric Matheson that cut the Eagle lead to four points. After a layup by Nate Ogle (Falls Church, Va./George Mason) put JC ahead by eight, the Panthers scored the last four points of the frame to make it 27-23 in Juniata's favor at halftime.

Pitt-Bradford started the second half with a 13-6 run that covered over eight and a half minutes of game to ahead 39-38 with 9:52 to play. Juniata answered with a run of its own, 13-2, that was capped off by a three-point shot from Seth Brewer (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) with 5:06 to play to give JC a 51-41 lead that turned the tide in the game.

The Panthers got as close as six points, 51-45, with 4:03 remaining in the contest. Juniata ended with a 12-6 run, which included eight straight points, to pull ahead and take the victory.

"Unlike last weekend, there was a moment in the second half where it could have gone either way," remarked head coach Greg Curley afterwards. "We stepped up and made the plays we needed to and pushed right back and did the things that a good team needs to do. From that standpoint, I'm happy with the progress."

Three players scored 14 points to lead the Eagles. They were Marcus Lee (Carrolltown, Pa./Bishop Carroll), Brewer, and Brandon Martinazzi (Cresson, Pa./Bishop Carroll). Justin Fleming (Richmond, Va./Benedictine College Prep.) added nine points while Dennis Fisher (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) chipped in eight points. Kyle Koehler (Chester Springs, Pa./Devon Prep.) scored two points but was big on the boards as he came down with seven rebounds and also came up with four steals.

Juniata shot 25-of-56 (44.6%) from the floor which bested Pitt-Bradford going 20-for-49. (40.8%). The Eagles dominated in the paint with a 40-20 advantage. The bench also played a key role as it contributed 16 points to just two for the Panthers. On defense, Juniata forced the Panthers, who came in averaging 12 turnovers a game, into 19 miscues.

Juniata will be idle for the holiday until it returns to the hardwood on January 2 when it hosts Drew in Landmark Conference action. Tip off from Memorial Gymnasium with be at 2:00 p.m.