SCRANTON, Pa. – A strong first half performance from freshman John Ryan (Philadelphia, Pa.) helped the Nittany Lions to a slim first half lead, but Bard soared back to a 71-58 win on Friday night. The Nittany Lions fall to 0-2 for the season.

Ryan finished the night with 11 points along with freshman Austin Slawter (Philadelphia, Pa.) and junior Kenny Bey-Brown who both had 11 for the game.

In the first half Abington was on fire, shooting with a 50 percent average from the floor and 80 percent from behind the arc.

Early in the first half the Nittany Lions were down seven to the Raptors, but Bey-Brown drained his three-pointer to spur a 14 point swing. Abington held a 30-23 lead with five minutes remaining, but clutch shooting for the Raptors brought the game within two points at the half.

The lead changed hands nine times in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but the Raptors defense clamped down and ended the game on an 18-5 run to close out the Nittany Lions.

Abington will face off against the loser of Friday night's second game between Sarah Lawrence and host Scranton.