Bloomsburg Rally Falls Short in Loss to Pitt-Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN --The Bloomsburg University men's basketball nearly rallied from a big halftime deficit, but fell short in an 88-82 loss to Pitt-Johnstown Saturday night.

The Huskies held an early 16-15 lead in the game, but then saw the Mountain Cats go on a 35-15 run to close out the half and lead by a 51-30 score.

UPJ extended its lead to 25-points, 64-39 with 13:57 to play in the game before the Huskies started their comeback. Led by Matt Jefferson's (Philadelphia/George Washington) 14 points and Jaren Burdine's (Reading/Reading) 11 points, Bloomsburg came all the way back with the help of a 41-16 run and took an 80-79 lead on two free throws by Nick Jones (Rosedale, NY/St. Francis) with 2:09 to play in the game. However, on UPJ's next possession, JJ Schumacher was fouled and hit two free throws to put the home team back in front. After two more free throws by Jones gave the Huskies their final lead at 82-81 with 1:35, UPJ's Kyle Goldcamp scored on a layup to put the Mountain Cats back in front, 83-82. The Huskies then failed on three straight possessions, while the Mountain Cats were hitting their free throws making five of six to win by six, 88-82.

Leading Bloomsburg (11-14 ) was Jefferson with 23 points, while Nick Jones had a career-high 21 points, Billy Bryan (Denver/Holy Name) with 17 and Jaren Burdine getting 12 points.

Pitt-Johnstown (18-7) got 16 points from Goldcamp, while Quinton Davis netted 14.

Bloomsburg returns to action On Wednesday at West Chester starting at 6 p.m.