Denny Mortimer helped the LHU offense as he scored 12 points, helping Billy Arre's game high 28, but it wasn't enough as LHU fell 60-56 to visiting Slippery Rock.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – A gutty effort from the Lock Haven University Bald Eagles (1-15, 1-1 PSAC West) came up short as visiting Slippery Rock University (3-13, 1-1 PSAC West) left Thomas Fieldhouse with a hard fought 60-56 victory in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West division play.

With 9:49 to play in the contest LHU looked all but out of it as Slippery Rock had a solid 19 point advantage, but a stingy defense from the Bald Eagles baffled The Rock as The Haven looked to make a comeback.

Sparked by a free throw from A.J. Zimmer (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park), LHU went on a 22-5 run to claw their way back to within two points with 41 ticks to play, but it was a pair of Darnell Johnson free throws which would seal the deal for The Rock as LHU went down in defeat 60-56.

LHU was led on the afternoon by a game high 28 points from junior standout Billy Arre (Pittsburgh/Thomas Jefferson) who was 10-19 from the field including a stellar 6-12 from beyond the arc. Helping Arre on the offensive end was Denny Mortimer (Silver Spring, Md./Mansfield University) who knocked in a dozen for the Bald Eagles.

From the field the game was a deadheat as LHU actually outscored The Rock 50-49 from the field, but the charity stripe and respective benches were the difference makers in the game.

Lock Haven was 6-13 from the line shooting a poor 46.2% while Slippery Rock was lights out knocking down 11 of their 12 shots from the stripe for an impressive 91%.

Slippery Rock’s non-starters outscored the Bald Eagle non-starters by a 22-3 margin.

The rebound battle was even at 30 a piece with four players co-leading the game with seven boards.

Arre, Kelvin McLean (Newport News, Va./Heritage) and Jeff Eveillard (New Rochelle, N.Y./Broome Community College) all pulled down seven boards a piece for The Haven.

Slippery Rock was led on the afternoon by Ken Ottrix’s 14 points.

The Bald Eagles are next back in action as they play part in another PSAC West division men’s/women’s doubleheader at Clarion University on Wednesday, January 23 2008. Tip off from Tippin Gymnasium is slated for 8 p.m.