Slow second half stifles Men’s Basketball at Penn State Beaver

MONACA, Pa. --- A slow second half led to a narrow 76-70 loss for men's basketball at Penn State Beaver Wednesday night.

The Celtics trailed by 20 points eight minutes into the second half, but battled back to erase most of the deficit, down eight points with a minute remaining in the game.

Two free throws bumped the Lions (2-4) back up to a 10-point lead, but a layup from Jordyn Tavarez (New Kensington, Pa./Highlands HS/Penn West Calif.) saw the Celtics trailing by single digits with under a minute left to play.

With Carlow forced to foul to regain possession, the Lions sank two more free throws before Tavarez landed a three-pointer to cut their lead to seven with 30 seconds on the clock.

As time ticked off the clock, the Celtics missed a few chances to score. Although Tomasi Pavihi (Wellington, New Zealand/St. Mary's Ryken HS/College of Marin) and Jimmy Giannetta (Pittsburgh, Pa./Saint Joseph HS) sank two last-second layups, the Celtics simply ran out of time.

The Lions jumped out to a 15-8 lead to start the game before Carlow went on an 8-2 run to trail by two. The Celtics kept it close throughout the remainder of the first half, down 37-32 at halftime.

Gianetta led Carlow with a career- and game-high 23 points, three assists and three steals. Pavihi scored his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, and Tavarez added 15 points off the bench.

Carlow shot 65.4 percent (17 for 26) from the foul line and outscored the Lions 34-32 in the paint. Beaver held the advantage on the floor, shooting 52.8 percent (28 for 53) and outrebounding Carlow 32-31 on the night.

Ny'zir Dix led the Lions with 13 points, and two players scored double figures off the bench.

The Celtics travel to Bridgewater, Va. for a weekend tournament Nov. 22-23.