Eagles Soar Past Warriors

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team turned up the defensive pressure which sparked their 79-60 victory over Lycoming College, Wednesday evening inside Memorial Gymnasium. 

Ty Kocak led all scorers with 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and a block, while Jaiden Aze totaled nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal off the bench. William Littles Jr. tallied 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals while Malcolm Griffith had 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Jayden Bilger amassed six points and eight rebounds. 

The Warriors opened the game with an 11-3 push in the first five minutes, with a Griffith layup and a Kocak free throw the first three Eagle points. 

From that point, the Eagles ramped up the defense, holding the Warriors to 13 points over the final 15 minutes of the half. This also sparked their offense, as they scored 28 points, including Aze's tip-in at the buzzer that pushed the JC advantage to five at the half. 

Eight different Eagles scored in the first half. 

The Eagles continued their strong play to open the second half, outscoring the visitors 17-7 to lead 50-33. The run was capped by a Kocak layup off a slick Yawn pass. 

JC fended off the Warriors the rest of the way, not allowing them closer than nine. 

Juniata scored 19 points off turnovers to Lycoming's five, and had an advantage in points in the paint 44-24. 

Juniata returns to action this Saturday against Moravian at 2:00.