Box Score
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – Gripping onto a 33-27 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play, the Crimson Eagles knew that, inevitably, Centenary College at some point would go on a run late Tuesday night.
Weathering the storm would be a must if PBU was to come out on top when all was said and done.
“We talked at halftime about how we need to rally together when Centenary made their run,” interim coach Jared Yoder said. “We knew they had too many good shooters and flat out competitors on their team to just roll over.”
Or just one.
Junior guard Will Atkinson almost singlehandedly picked apart PBU’s defensive front and lifted the Cavaliers on his back during the back end of play. Atkinson exploded for 19 second half points and went off from long range, connecting on five of six trifectas in the second period alone.
“It seemed like every time we were close to clawing back into the game Atkinson would hit another big three,” Yoder noted. “He really sealed the deal for them and I thought was the difference-maker in the game.”
PBU would see their last lead of the game evaporate at the 14:25 mark when Andrew Baker hit two free throws to notch the contest at 39-apiece. Atkinson would proceed to hit his second triple of the period on the next possession and would follow-up with his third two minutes later to give the Cyclones a 47-41 cushion with 11:28 to play.
PBU would keep the distance to within seven at the 4:26 mark, but a highly impressive 13 for 14 mark from the charity stripe down the stretch would help Centenary keep a comfortable gap the remainer of the way.
"That one was a tough one for us tonight because I thought we had our chances. It was the little things that really hurt us, but the only thing you can do after a game like that is learn from it and don't let it happen again. If we can do that, we'll be in good shape."
The Cyclones enjoyed advantages in several key statistical categories, including points in the paint (34-20), second chance points (18-12), and bench points (19-6). It marks the eighth time this season that PBU has surrendered 80 or more points defensively.
On Thursday, PBU will shift their focus to NCCAA Regional action when the team squares off with the third ranked team in the nation, Valley Forge Christian College (13-4), in the Mason Activity Center at 8:00 pm.
