Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - The Crimson Eagles' season opener Tuesday evening combined everything a fan could ask for in a college basketball game - drama, lead changes, big shots... even an extra session cap off an already eventful night.
But unfortunately for PBU, the one missing ingredient when all was said and done proved to be the elusive "W" as visiting Polytechnic University escaped from Langhorne with a 62-60 triumph over the Crimson Eagles in what marked the first outing of the year for both programs.
Perhaps the stat of the game that ultimately crippled the host squad was their inability to clean up on the defensive glass when it mattered. The Blue Jays utilized several 6'0 towers inside to bully their way to 22 offensive boards for the night, a statline that gets compounded when you factor in that the visitors ended the evening with an 18-13 edge in second change points, a mark that included a critical 9-0 margin during the overtime stanza.
The Crimson Eagles were also hounded with 29 cough-ups on the offensive end as a group while knocking down just two of fifteen triples from long-range.
Despite several statistical deficiencies, PBU managed to hang around thanks, in part, to several clutch buckets, a commendable effort from the charity stripe, and a girthy defensive effort that limited the Blue Jays to just 32 percent shooting for the night.
The Crimson Eagles would jump out to a 3-0 start three minutes into the opening period, but an 8-0 spurt from Polytechnic would put the score at 8-3 with nine minutes left. PBU would climb back into the contest thanks to three consecutive buckets but would ultimately find themselves in a 19-15 hole at the break.
The Blue Jays would kick off the back end of play by capitalizing on three Crimson Eagle turnovers in four possessions, leading to a 26-17 advantage for Polytechnic. The visitors' edge would swell to as big as 10 with 12 minutes left before the host squad would all-[but will their way back into the game.
Down by five with under a minute to play, Dani Norton would bury a three-ball to pull the Crimson Eagles to within 50-48. A one for two effort from the free throw line from the Blue Jays would give PBU an opportunity to even things in the waning seconds, which Careth Herron took full advantage of. The junior guard drilled a long ball to even things at 51-all, an effort that ultimately sent the game into extra sessions.
But whatever momentum the host squad cherished in the final minute of regulation was quickly erased in the five minute overtime as the Blue Jays would use their size to help build up a five point lead two minutes in. Polytechnic would be fueled by six offensive boards during the extra session as the Crimson Eagles would ultimately be forced to foul in the final moments during an unsuccessful attempt at a late rally.
PBU was paced by Dani Norton's game high marks of 23 points, 16 boards and five steals while drilling 10 of 11 from the free throw stripe. Sarah Oessenich would chip in eight points, seven boards and four assists in 40 minutes of work and Lindsey Fornwalt would added seven points, eight rebounds, and three swipes defensively.
The Crimson Eagles will look to crack the winning column this weekend when the group travels to Massachusetts to play in Gordon College's Tip-Off Tournament. PBU will play New England College on Friday in the opening round.
