YORK, PA - The York College men's basketball team fell
74-65 to a tough Gettysburg squad in Tuesday's home opener at
York's Charles Wolf Gymnasium. The Spartans drop to 1-2
on the young season while Gettysburg improves to 3-0.
York struggled early as the Bullets ran out to an 8-2 lead 4:23
into the game. Momentum looked like it was going to swing
over to the Spartan side only a few minutes later when senior
All-American Chad McGowan (Dallastown, Pa./Dallastown) threw down a
thunderous jam to bring York within two. Both teams battled
back and forth throughout the opening stanza but every time York
would creep close, the Bullets would immediately increase their
advantage.
With 4:27 left in the first frame Gettysburg's Dan Capkin,
who was a Spartan killer all night, nailed a jumper to put the
Bullets up by 10 at 27-17. The green and white
would make a run at the end of the half as senior Nate Lankford
(York, Pa./West York) and sophomore Nick Brady (Hanover, Pa./Delone
Catholic) combined for eleven of York's final 12 points in
the period's closing minutes. A clutch three-pointer
from the sophomore brought the Spartans to within one at 30-29 with
only 55 seconds left in the half. Much like the rest of the
frame however, the Bullets jumped right back out with a pair of
layups in the final 40 seconds to go into the halftime break up
34-29.
Throughout the second stanza, the green and white scrapped and
clawed looking for their first lead of the game. It never
came. York did bring the game close on several occasions
during the second half. A jumper by McGowan with 14:52 left
brought his squad to within two at 44-42, but that would be as
close as the Spartans would come for the rest of the night.
Junior Mike Riley's (Webster, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit) steal
and break-away lay-up with 7:20 left in the game cut the Bullet
lead to four at 60-56 while a jumper from senior Levi Winters
(Manchester, Pa./Northeastern) brought the Spartans to within three
with 6:41 remaining. Despite the numerous close scores, Gettysburg
refused to relinquish the lead and milking the clock in an attempt
to limit York's possessions. York would attempt to
extend the game by putting Gettysburg on the foul line but the
strategy ultimately failed and the Bullets came away with the 74-65
victory.
McGowan led the way for the Spartans offensively scoring a tough
16 points in addition to pulling down 12 boards for his first
double-double of the season. Gettysburg's defense was
all over the senior forward not allowing him any clean looks at the
basket. Winters recorded 14 points and dished out a team-high
four assists.
Junior guard Capkin lit up Charles Wolf Gymnasium with 24 points
on 10-21 shooting including 4-9 from three-point range.
Running-mate Corey Dorsey notched 21 points and shot a strong 8-11
from the charity stripe. Freshman center Andrew Powers
tallied 12 points and grabbed eleven rebounds while playing all 40
minutes for the Bullets.
The Spartans return to the court on Wednesday, November 28 when
defending Capital Athletic Conference champion Hood College invades
York. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 pm.
(Photo Courtesy of Eric Linsley)
GAME BOX
