Matt Jefferson Nets 34 in Loss to West Chester

BLOOMSBURG--Despite a game-high 34 points from Matt Jefferson (Philadelphia/George Washington) the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team lost to West Chester on Wednesday night, 83-70, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC0 Eastern Division matchup.

Bloomsburg (6-20, 2-9 PSAC East) held the early edge in the game opening a five-point lead, 9-4, with 14:32 to play in the first half after a three-pointer from Billy Bryan (Denver/Reading Holy Name). West Chester (17-10, 9-3 PSAC East), though, rallied and tied the game at 11-11 with 10:56 to go in the half on a layup from Donnell Butler. The teams would be tied four more times in the first half before the Golden Rams got a late bucket from Butler to lead by three at halftime.

In the second half, the Huskies grabbed a lead at 41-40 on a layup from Jefferson with 17:29 to play. However, that would be Bloomsburg's last lead of the night.

Later, with West Chester leading 54-50, the Golden Rams went on a 14-0 run, highlighted by seven points from Butler to go in front 68-50 with 8:52 remaining.

Bloomsburg battled back to within 11 points on two occasions, late in the game, but that would be as close as the Huskies would get.

Jefferson turned in a fine all-around game with 34 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots. Mike Cheatle (North Wales/Hatboro-Horsham) added 16 points and Bryan 15 for the Huskies.

Butler finished with 30 points for West Chester, while Mark Gerhart added 20.

The Huskies will close out the 2005-06 season at Millersville on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.