Three pointers problematic for Men’s Basketball in loss to Penn State Altoona

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University men's basketball lost an 83-74 AMCC contest to Penn State Altoona at Donahue Pavilion Wednesday night.

The Lions (9-13, 8-7 AMCC) sank 11 three-pointers on the evening.

Byron Gaskins led the Celtics with a game-high 25 points, five assists, five steals and two blocks. Riley Comforti had a double-double 12 points, 11 boards, three assists and two steals, and Oscar Contreras added 15 points. Galen Waters scored 12 points and dished out three assists in the effort.

The Celtics (4-18, 2-13 AMCC) started strong, but Altoona gained the lead early in the first half. A trey from Contreras cut the Lions' lead to one and both teams went on an almost three-minute scoring drought late in the half as Altoona held onto a 26-20 advantage. Comforti broke the scoreless period with a layup to cut Altoona's lead to four, but a subsequent trey put the Lions ahead, 29-22.

Gaskins hit two free throws, and a layup from Waters put Carlow within one point of tying the game with under two minutes remaining in the half, but a few last-minute layups allowed the Lions to take a six-point lead into halftime.

Altoona held onto its lead through the second half before a three-pointer from Gaskins tied the game at 48-all five minutes in. The Lions went on a 9-1 run over the course of the next four minutes to regain an eight-point lead. Griffin Ruhlman sank two free throws to put Carlow within four points midway through the half, but Altoona once again extended its lead to double figures and maintained its distance the remainder of the game.

The Lions outrebounded Carlow 41-37 and outscored the Celtics 23-7 off the bench.

Dwayne Jones led the Lions with 20 points, and two other players tallied double figures in the win.

Carlow travels to Pitt Bradford for a 4 p.m. AMCC game Feb. 10.