The men's basketball team hosted 2023 DII USCAA National Champion PSU Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, falling 68-63.
The Hornets fought up a few weight classes on Wednesday against a Penn State Wilkes-Barre team that returned the majority of their National Championship team from last year. Broome, however, was up to the challenge and never considered themselves out of the game. A continuous effort to chip away at the deficit managed to keep the game just within reach until the Hornets could go on a decisive run.
That happened in the second half when, after being down by 15 at half-time, the Hornets used disciplined team defense to hold PSU Wilkes-Barre to just 24 points in the second half and make it a 63-56 game with 2:45 left. Continuing to cut into the deficit, the Hornets moved within five points, and then four points. Broome was down by three points with an opportunity to tie the game twice with under one minute left.
After missing a potential game-tying three-pointer, Ibrahima Sow made an incredible steal and drew a foul. With under 20 seconds left, Daniel Uribe, who had not seen any prior game action, entered to replace an injured Hornet and knocked down a clutch free throw to put Broome within two points. The Mountain Lions would eventually pull away in the final seconds for a 68-63 victory but the Hornets were there until the end with every opportunity for an upset.
Freshman guard Adrese Bradford made three three-pointers in a 75 second span during the first half, which shifted the momentum in favor of Broome. Bradford finished with a team-high 22 points and added seven steals on defense. Freshman guard Antonio Maria was solid on both ends of the floor, contributing 15 points, four rebounds, and three steals for the Hornets. Maria continuously got to the basket throughout the game, converting five of six free throws as well.
Freshman point guard Axell Camacho-Cintron ran the show for the Hornets and controlled the pace of the game. He finished with nine points while shooting 75% from the field and converting two of his three three-point attempts. Freshman forward Connor Green battled on the glass against a strong PSU Wilkes-Barre front line, finishing the game with nine rebounds.
The Hornets' next contest will see them host Corning CC in the Baldwin Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. next Thursday.
@BroomeAthletics
