Lapetina, Eisenhart & Husted Lead Eagles Past Lions

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team used a big first half to cruise to an 86-65 victory over the visiting Lions of Penn State Altoona Tuesday evening at Memorial Gymnasium. 

The teams remained scoreless over the first three minutes as neither team could find the bottom of the net until Evan Eisenhart drilled a three from the left wing. After a turnover by PSU Altoona, Eisenhart drilled another three from the right corner off a pass from Mason Hardy. 

The teams started to find a rhythm as the visitors eventually scored, and a three later pulled them back within three, 13-10, with 11 and a half to go in the half.  

Carter Fischer converted a jumper at the foul line, and Eisenhart made his third three of the game as his hot shooting continued. The Lions got back within six on a foul shot, 21-15; Tyler Lapetina scored in the paint four times and split a pair of free throws to keep the Eagle lead at nine with three and half minutes to go. Back-to-back threes from Eisenhart and Kyle Ruggery, along with layups from Hardy and Ty Kocak, put JC up by 10, 40-21, heading into the locker room at the half. 

PSU Altoona got within 13 with eight and a half to go in the half, 62-49, but Eisenhart hit yet another three, Chase Husted made two foul shots, Lapetina made a layup, and then a three on the following possession before Husted capped the run with a jumper off a Ruggery assist to push the lead back to 22. 

Juniata cruised the rest of the way to get the 86-63 win. 

Lapetina totaled 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while Eisenhart added 19 points, tying a career-high with six threes, to go with two assists and three steals. Husted added 19 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal. 

Juniata will travel to take on Lebanon Valley on Saturday at 2:00.