WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Sophomore Isaiah Valentine (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) scored a career-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks to lead the Lycoming College men's basketball team as it fell to Drew University, 85-80, on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 27, at Lamade Gym in Landmark Conference action.
 
Sophomore J.J. Beagle (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) added 10 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Warriors (6-13 overall, 2-10 Landmark) hold a 39-34 rebounding advantage. Senior Brendon Blackson (Laurel, Md./Laurel) added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists and first-year Hayden Pardoe (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) added nine points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Both seniors Steven Hamilton (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville) and Mavin James (Danville, Pa./Danville) each posted eight points.
 
The Warriors shot 59 percent (16-of-27) from the field and scored 51 points in the second half, as they worked to eliminate a nine-point halftime deficit. Drew was able to withstand the charging Warriors thanks to a 50 percent shooting performance from 3-point range in the period (7-of-14) and a 42 percent effort (15-of-36) in the game.
 
The Warriors came out of the locker room on a 10-2 run that made it 40-39 after a fastbreak bucket from Blackson just two minutes into the second half, but Drew answered with a 3-pointer and led by eight with 14:14 left. The Warriors cut that lead down to three 30 seconds later and got within one possession nine more times, but the Rangers found an answer to each threat. A turnaround jumper from Valentine with 2:11 left made it 78-76, but Andrew Turco hit a pair of 3-pointers in the next 1:16 to put the game out of reach.
 
The Warriors jumped out on a 9-3 run to start the game before the Rangers used a run of 10 straight points to take the lead. The Warriors stayed within two possessions until the final 2:15 of the first half when the Rangers finished the half on a 10-5 run.
 
Pat Higgins posted 21 points and five assists and Peso Crump notched 16 points and six rebounds for the Rangers. Both Turco and Papie Roberts added 13.
 
The Warriors are back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 30, when they host Juniata College in Landmark Conference action at 7 p.m. in Lamade Gym.