Box Score Keuka Park, N.Y. - The Penn State Abington men's basketball team earned their fifth-straight victory earlier this afternoon on the road against Keuka College. The Nittany Lions were able to hold off a late charge by the Storm and come away with a 67-63 win and retain control of second place in the NEAC South Division. Mike Marvin led the Nittany Lions with 13 points and 14 rebounds on the day.
 
Penn State Abington (9-12, 7-3 NEAC) was able to run out to an early lead in the game, jumping ahead by as much as seven points on a two-point basket by R.J. Handy with 12:18 left to play in the half. This early run by the Nittany Lions forced Keuka (9-11, 7-5 NEAC) into a timeout, after which they reeled off nine straight points of their own to take their first meaningful lead of the game at 21-19.
 
The Nittany Lions then used a 12-2 run of their own to retake control of the game. It started with a jumper from sophomore Avery Barnes, followed by a three-pointer from fellow sophomore Max Alton. After a series of turnovers from both teams, and then a layup by the Storm, it was Kyle Battell who stepped up to sink a triple. Barnes and Alton then finished off the run by hitting back-to-back two point jumpers to push the score to 31-23. The Blue and White held onto this eight point lead for much of the remainder of the half until a last-second layup by the Storm's Vinney Zambito closed the Abington lead to 41-35 at the half.
 
Keuka opened the second half on a tear, closing their deficit slowly from five to three, and then to just one point at several times in the opening minutes. Finally, Penn State Abington could hold off the Storm no longer, and a layup from Casey Williams with 10:59 to play in the game gave Keuka a 49-48 lead. The teams then went on an incredible streak of trading the next nine baskets over a period of four minutes, with the lead changing hands each time. Finally, the Nittany Lions used a three-pointer from Mike Colacci backed up by a free throw from Mike Marvin and a pair of freebies from Avery Barnes to sneak ahead 62-58 with just 6:02 to play.
 
If Keuka had one final charge in them, it had to come out now, and they certainly pulled out all the stops to make it happen. The Storm got a layup from Trevor Healey, and then a three-pointer from Adam Starks put Keuka back on top by a score of 63-62 with 5:03 to play. Unfortunately for them, it would be the final basket they would score all day.
 
The Nittany Lions only scored five more points themselves the rest of the game, but they were the only points the team needed. Kyle Battell hit another three-pointer to put the Blue and White on top for good with 3:35 to play. Then, Mike Marvin hit a pair of free throws to close out the 67-63 win for Penn State Abington. The Nittany Lions' defense came up huge in the final five minutes, limiting Keuka to an 0-for-5 performance from the field and forcing four turnovers to keep the Storm from threatening the Abington lead any further.
 
Marvin earned yet another double-double to help lead the Nittany Lions to victory, but it was truly a balanced affair on the offensive end for the Blue and White. Barnes also scored 13 points, while Colacci added 12, Alton got 11, and Battell 10. For the Storm, it was Trevor Healey who led all scorers with 18 points, while Adam Starks chipped in another 14. The Nittany Lions fifth-straight win helps keep them in control of their own playoff destiny and a half-game ahead of Penn State Harrisburg for second place in the division. The Blue and White have a chance to continue their great play when they hit the hardcourt against Penn State Berks this Wednesday night. Gametime is set for 8:00 p.m., and it is also Pinkzone Night at Abington during the game. For all your updates on the festivities and Abington athletics, be sure to keep checking in at abingtonsports.com.