MBSK2-23

ESU-West Chester Men's Basketball

WEST CHESTER - R.C. Kehoe led four East Stroudsburg University players in double figures with 22 points, but West Chester used late runs in both regulation and overtime to pull out an 80-74 victory and claim the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division title Wednesday night.

ESU (6-19, 4-8 PSAC East) led 64-59 with 1:36 remaining on a basket by Kehoe, but the Rams scored five points in the final 1:11 of the contest to force overtime for the second time against the Warriors this season. Ramzee Stanton scored a layup and Tyariq Corbin converted three of four free throw attempts to force the extra session.

In overtime, the Warriors grabbed a 71-68 lead on Shahad Abdur Rahkman's layup with just over three minutes remaining. After five straight points by West Chester, guard Rob Smith had a chance to tie the game, but his layup rolled off the rim, and the Rams continued on their run, scoring five more points to grab a 78-71 lead with 33 seconds remaining. Kehoe hit another 'three' with eight seconds remaining, but Joe Meade knocked down two free throws to provide for the final margin of victory.

Juwan Justice added 14 points and nine rebounds for ESU before fouling out with three minutes left in regulation. Rahkman added 13 points, and senior Quincy Henderson posted a season-high with 14 points on five of eight shooting to go along with eight boards. Stanton led the Rams' charge to the PSAC East crown with 16 points and 14 boards.

This was ESU's second overtime loss to West Chester this season. The Warriors bowed, 92-84, at Koehler Fieldhouse, February 2nd. ESU wraps up its season Saturday when it travels to Pitt-Johnstown for a non-conference match-up at 6:00 p.m.

West Chester 80

Williams 6 1-4 17, Stanton 7 2-7 16, Corbin 4 3-4 12, Sedora 1 5-6 7, Phillips 3 2-4 8, Darden 5 1-1 11, Meade 2 4-5 9. Totals: 28 18-31 80.

ESU 74

Rahkman 6 1-1 13, Smith 2 4-4 9, Justice 6 0-0 14, Kehoe 7 2-2 22, Henderson 5 4-4 14, Rouse 0 0-0 0, Kostic 1 0-0 2, Lynch 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 11-11 74.

Three-Point Goals: West Chester - Williams 4, Corbin, Meade; ESU - Kehoe 6, Justice 2, Smith.

Halftime Score: West Chester 30-27

End of Regulation: 64-64

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