OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Freshman Kobe Colston led four players in double figures with a career-high 20 points as the Stevenson University men's basketball team upset No. 16 Lycoming College 71-68 in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball Saturday afternoon at Owings Mills Gymnasium.
Stevenson (11-13, 3-12 MAC Commonwealth) snapped a nine-game losing streak with the victory, and recorded its first win over a ranked opponent since topping No. 25 Messiah on February 12, 2014.
Colston finished 10-12 at the free throw line and also recorded six rebounds and five assists. Senior Danzel Wright, who was honored in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the game, totaled 17 points and five rebounds, while freshman Evan Joseph was 3-6 behind the arc and recorded 13 points. Junior Keith Moody posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Lycoming (19-4, 10-4 MAC Commonwealth) was led by Ramadan Jennings' 20 points, while Chris Wallace added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Stevenson trailed 48-41 midway through the second half when it went on a 12-0 run capped by a Colston layup to take a 53-48 lead at the 6:28 mark. The Mustangs took their largest lead of the second half, 59-52, with 3:32 left on a Wright free throw, and held a 63-57 lead with 1:43 left after Wright sank two at the line.
Wallace was fouled with 1:34 remaining and sank both at the stripe to pull Lycoming within four. Colston was fouled at the 1:12 mark and made both to again make it a six-point game, but a Darius James basket with just over a minute left made it 65-61. The guests came up with a turnover and a pair of free throws by Ronald Jefferson with 56 seconds left made it a one-possession game, 65-63.
Stevenson again turned it over and James was fouled with his team in the double bonus, giving him a chance to tie with 34 seconds left. After making the first, he airballed the second, giving the ball back to Stevenson. Colston was fouled, and he sank two at the line to make it 67-64 with 25 seconds left.
Lycoming missed a three-point attempt and Colston grabbed the rebound with 12 seconds to go and was fouled. He made the first and missed the second. On the other end, Jefferson raced down to make a layup with 6.8 seconds to go, and Lycoming attempted to call timeout, but it had none left. Wright sank the technical free throws, then Colston made 1-of-2 to make it 71-65. A Wallace three as time expired accounted for the final.
Stevenson led 21-12 midway through the first half and took its largest lead, 24-14, with 8:28 before halftime on a Joseph three. The Warriors used a 9-0 run over the next three-plus minutes to pull back within one, and took a 27-26 lead on a Jennings' three-point play at the 2:51 mark. A Moody layup nine seconds before the break gave Stevenson a 33-31 halftime lead.
Stevenson shot just 35.8% for the game, but was 10-30 behind the arc and 23-30 at the free throw line, while Lycoming was 13-21 at the stripe and 3-11 from long range. The Warriors shot 40% overall, but were outrebounded 42-38. Lycoming outscored its hosts in the paint 42-16.
Stevenson closes out its season Tuesday night when it travels to Alvernia for an 8:00 MAC Commonwealth contest.