12/7/21
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – In a rematch of last year's Region XIX Championship game, the atmosphere at the Lackawanna Student Union felt like another championship bout. After a tense first half, it was the Raritan Valley Lions that thrived, scoring 55 second half points en route to a 92-81 win over the Lackawanna College Falcons on Tuesday night.
 
Lackawanna College (3-4) had three players in double-figures, including a team-high 21 points from Will Johnson. Johnson's 21 was a season-high, to go with five assists and four three-point field goals. Jaylen Davis had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Ahmir Ellzy pitched in 14 points for Lackawanna. The Falcons shot 41% from the field, but were just 8-for-26 from beyond-the-arc for the game, 3-for-11 in the second half. The Lions (7-2) shot 49% in the second half to score 55 points, led by Raheem Carter, who had a game-high 33 points, 22 in the second half alone, on 13 made shots, to go with eleven rebounds and four steals. Raritan Valley was 19-for-24 form the free throw line, including a 13-for-15 showing in the second half.
 
Early on, in front of a raucous home crowd, the Falcons hit the front at 15-10, behind some early buckets from Johnson, who scored 13 points in the first half. The Falcons splashed five threes, and were very active defensively, holding the normally sharp-shooting Lions to just 32% in the first half. The Falcons were rolling as they led 35-29 late in the half, but Raritan closed on an 8-1 run to lead 37-36 at the break.
 
The second half opened differently for Lackawanna College, as Raritan took control, opening up a lead by playing active defense and turning the game into a track meet. The Falcons fell behind, and struggled to get within seven the rest of the way. As the half wore on, the Falcons found their defensive energy once again, and that energy started to feed the offense. A David Pope putback dunk brought the crowd to their feet, and a Jihaad Dennard three-point shot helped the Falcons erase what was a 15-point deficit, turning it into an 85-79 game with about 2:40 to play. But, as they'd done all game long, Raritan Valley found that extra gear, turning steals into breakaway baskets on the other end, and hitting their free throws late to seal the game and the win.
 
Lackawanna College is home in their next game on Saturday, December 11^th, when they host SUNY Ulster Community College at the Lackawanna Student Union. The game is set for a 1:00pm tip. Tickets will be on-sale at the door for $5 (adults) and $3 (students), while Lackawanna College students get in for free with their student ID. Fans are reminded of the Lackawanna College spectator policy for masking in the gym and facility at all times. Get more information HERE. The game will be streamed live on the Lackawanna College Falcons YouTube channel, with Steve Young handling the play-by-play, and Sports Information Director Tom Ferguson joining on color commentary.