Box Score Abington, Pa. – The Penn State Abington Nittany Lions lost another close game earlier this evening, this time against the visiting Highlanders of Cairn University. The Blue and White held the lead even into the final minute of the game, but couldn't hold on, as they lost in an 85-82 decision.
 
The Nittany Lions (0-4, 0-0 NEAC) got out to an early lead off of a pair of field goals from Avery Barnes and Mike Marvin. Penn State Abington would hang onto this lead until the 14:04 mark of the first half, when a layup from Highlander Aaron Stovall put Cairn out in front 13-12. The visitors would extend their lead to as many as seven points, but Penn State Abington came roaring back.
 
After a three-pointer dropped from Stovall to put the Highlanders up 33-29, the Nittany Lions went on a run that turned the game back in their favor. Sophomore Darien Mitchell put his game into overdrive, pounding his way into the lane to earn two separate trips to the charity stripe along with a layup, and sophomore Abe Galam drained a deep bomb, and suddenly the Nittany Lions were back out in front 38-33.
 
Cairn (1-2, 0-0 CSAC) managed to work their way back from this deficit, and as the teams went to halftime, the Nittany Lions lead had shrunk into a 41-40 scoreline. Then, as the teams hit the floor for the second half, each side traded a few baskets, but the game continued to remain even.
 
The game truly became more and more exciting as time wound down. First, Cairn jumped out to an eight point lead. Then, Penn State Abington went on an 8-0 run of their own to knot the game back up at 61-61. The Nittany Lions were able to jump out to a six point lead following several layups from Mike Marvin and a pair of free throws from Avery Barnes.
 
Finally, the game turned into the “Seth Heinicke Show”. The 6-7 sophomore forward absolutely went off in the second frame. He scored 27 points in the period on an incredible 10-11 from the floor, including going 3-3 from behind the arc. With 6:18 to go in the game, the Nittany Lions held a five point lead. A three-pointer from Heinicke cut the lead to two, 75-73. After a tip-in by Avery Barnes, Heinicke went to the other end, drew a foul on Marvin, and subsequently sank both free throws.
 
After the teams traded baskets again, Penn State Abington turned the ball over on an out of bounds error, and Heinicke tied the game at 79-79 with another layup in the paint. Just under two minutes to play, and it was Heinicke once again, this time with a jumper putting Cairn back out in front 81-79.
 
Even through all of the incredible play by the Highlanders forward, the Nittany Lions never backed down, and with just under a minute left to play, it was Darien Mitchell who once again stepped up big for the Nittany Lions. After a strong defensive possession where the Blue and White forced Cairn into a bad jump shot, Avery Barnes came up with the rebound and passed the ball off to Mitchell. The 5-10 sophomore guard took his time getting up the court and surveyed the defense. Sensing an opportunity as his defender backed off to prevent a drive, Mitchell stepped into a three-pointer and drained it. The crowd jumped to their feet, sensing that this may just be the opportunity for the Nittany Lions to come up with a win.
 
Sadly, this would not be the case. After a jumper by Heinicke put Cairn back up, 83-82, the Nittany Lions next offensive possession went begging. With only four seconds left, Penn State Abington was forced to foul. Junior Charles Hopkins drained both freebies to put the Highlanders up by three, and a last-second three point attempt by Max Alton clanged off the iron as the buzzer sounded to end the Nittany Lions night.
 
On the game, the Nittany Lions were led by sophomore Mike Marvin, who scored 20 points. Darien Mitchell added another 19 and 7 assists off the bench, while Barnes and Alton put in another 16 and 10 points, respectively. Seth Heinicke led all players with a ridiculous 40-point effort, and managed to pull in 11 rebounds as well. Junior Aaron Stovall added another 14 points for the Highlanders.
 
The Nittany Lions continue their seven-game homestand this Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. against Salisbury University. Penn State Abington will be looking to get into the win column against a tough Sea Gulls squad that has gone 5-1 so far this year, with their only loss coming against a nationally-ranked Christopher Newport squad. Come on out to support the men in Blue and White this Saturday, and always be sure to keep checking in at abingtonsports.com for all your Nittany Lions sports news!