MBB pulls out thrilling win over Hazleton

Lemont Furnace, Pa - The PSU Fayette men's basketball team is playing its best ball of the season as it won its fifth game in a row with a thrilling come from behind 81-77 win over PSU Hazleton Saturday afternoon.

The score was close for most of the game with there being six ties and 16 lead changes and none bigger than when Tavian Mozie (McClellandtown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) drilled a three-pointer to give Fayette a 76-74 lead with 1:55 to play in the game.

After both teams missed an opportunity to score, Mozie hit another three, this one on an assist from London Hoxie (Menifee, CA/Paloma HS), to give Fayette a 79-74 lead with 25 seconds left in the game.

Dominic Boring (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster HS) added two free throws to give Fayette (10-14, 10-8 PSUAC) an 81-74 lead before Hazleton's Andy Kwaitkowski hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

Mozie finished with a season-high 30 points as he hit 10 out of 19 shots including making nine three-pointers.

Hoxie finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals while Marvin Sidon (Lahaina, HI/Lahainaluna HS) had 13 rebounds and seven rebounds.

Fayette, who shot 40.8% (29-71) for the game, took control early and held a 29-20 lead with 8:55 to play in the first half, but Hazleton fought back to take a 36-35 lead at the half.

Hazleton (10-10, 8-8) scored the first nine points of the second half to take a 45-35 lead and held Fayette without a point in the second half until there was 13:37 left when Hoxie hit a layup.

With 9:55 left, Hazleton held a 14-point lead, its biggest of the game, at 60-46, but Fayette closed on a 35-17 run to pull out the win.

During the run, Fayette hit 11 out of 17 shots.

Kwaitkowski led three Hazleton players with 27 points.

Fayette closes out its regular season Friday when it hosts PSU Greater Allegheny at 8:00 p.m.

For more information on the team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/mbkb/index.

Written by Bill Hughes