The Berkeley College men's basketball team is still searching for its first victory of the 2022-2023 campaign, dropping a game to Central Penn on Sunday at East Penn High School by a score of 76-69. With the loss, Berkeley slipped to 0-4 on the season, while Central Penn improved to 2-6.
Leading the way for Berkeley despite the loss was Marc Combs, as he knocked down three shots from downtown, finishing with a team-high 19 points to go along with eight rebounds and five steals. Jihadu Brunner and Tahshon Moore contributed 13 points apiece, with Brunner adding seen rebounds, and Moore registering five steals, and Kenneth Hines recorded a double-double, finishing with 10 points, 11 boards, and two swatted shots.
Central Penn was paced by Nate Jean-Philippe, as he led all players with a game-high 23 points (10-18 FG) to go along with four boards, three dimes, and two steals. Khalil Dukes added 18 points (7-11 FG), eight rebounds, three assists, a pair of swatted shots, and two steals, and Demonte Demore finalized his afternoon with 18 points and five rebounds.
Central Penn raced out to an early 16-6 edge just 6:17 into the contest, but Berkeley responded with a 12-5 run over a span of 5:34 to slice its deficit to three points (21-18) with 8:09 remaining in the half. That aforementioned spurt was led by Combs, who netted five points during the run.
Berkeley College continued to chip away at the Central Penn lead, pulling to within one (30-29) with 3:48 remaining in the session, before a 10-2 run by Central Penn made it 40-31 in favor of the home team with 27 seconds to go before halftime. A timely three-point basket by Combs just before the break cut Berkeley's deficit to six (40-34) as time expired on the opening half.
Central Penn dominated the opening 8:50 of the second half, outscoring Berkeley 22-9 to catapult ahead by the score of 62-43. That would be the biggest deficit the visitors would face. Berkeley put forth a valiant comeback effort, using the ensuing nine minutes to erase the huge deficit, pulling to within five (71-66) with 2:09 remaining.
Inside the final two minutes of play, Berkeley was only able to convert on one of its eight attempts from the floor, as Central Penn held on for a seven-point victory (76-69).
Central Penn as the more efficient team from the floor, knocking down 47.5 percent of its attempts from the floor (28-59) while holding Berkeley to a 31.1 percent conversion rate (28-90). Berkeley was solid from the line, hitting on 10 of its 14 attempts from the stripe (71.4 percent), while Central Penn struggled (14-26, 53.8 percent). Berkeley dominated the glass, out-rebounding Central Penn 47-34, while also committing fewer turnovers (14 to Central Penn's 20).
Berkeley College will now have five days off before returning to the court this coming weekend, as the Knights will travel to Central Maine Community College to take on the University of Maine at Fort Kent in a neutral site game on Friday at 5:00pm. Berkeley will then play the Mustangs Saturday at 3:00pm.