12/5/23

SCRANTON, Pa. -- Lackawanna College overcome a 15-point second half deficit with pressure defense and clutch shooting, as the Falcons came back to knock off the Essex County College Wolverines, 79-71, in a Region XIX Division II men's basketball contest on Tuesday evening inside the Lackawanna Student Union gymnasium.
 
The Falcons (4-7, 2-2) trailed 53-38 early in the second half, but mounted a comeback to turn things around, using excellent full-court defense and an offense that shot 46.9% in the second half. The Falcons hit 16 free throws in the second half, and held Essex (1-5, 0-2) to 33% shooting in the second, while forcing 20 turnovers.
 
Lackawanna was led by Aamir Mack (Sophomore; Atlantic City, NJ), who had 20 points and ten rebounds, while Joey Chapman (Sophomore; Reading, PA) added 16 points and four assists. Jawane Buckner (Sophomore; Wilkes-Barre, PA) added seven points and a team-high five assists, as well as four steals off the bench, helping the Falcons put up 25 bench points.
 
Essex was led by Koi Kirk's 23 points, while Jaiden Gilzene added 22 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Falcons are back to work on Saturday, December 9^th, when they play host to the Middlesex County College Colts in a Region XIX Division II contest. It will be the second game of a doubleheader, tipping at 3:00pm ET, after the women's teams tip-off at 1:00pm ET.