Recap: 1st Half Hole Too Much To Overcome In Loss To VFMC

BLUE BELL, Pa. - Coach Denny Surovec's team dug themselves a first half hole that they couldn't climb out of, as Valley Forge Military College cruised past the home team 104-76 on Thursday evening.

A 27-point halftime deficit proved insurmountable for a Mustangs team which dropped its fourth straight in losing to the Division II Trojans.

"We didn't show up in the first half against a very good team and put ourselves in a big hole," Surovec said. "I was proud of the way our guys fought in the second half, though. We had tons of energy and probably played our best half of the season."

Indeed, the second half offered something to build upon. After being outscored 62-35 in the first half, the Mustangs nearly matched the Trojans bucket for bucket in the second half. But it wasn't enough to erase a forgettable first half for Surovec's team.

Anthony Patterson's season-high 24 points were a bright spot on a night the Mustangs converted just 39 percent from the field. Patterson added a team-high 10 rebounds and 4 steals. Jalil Shafi scored 14 points and chipped in 9 rebounds. Nicko Balis added 5 rebounds and 11 points, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Jalen McDonald also scored 11 points.

Carnell McGirt and Dominick Morales paced the Trojans' attack, combining for almost half of Valley Forge's total output. The Trojans shot 52% from the field and 56% from three-point range.

Following the game, Surovec tried to glean something positive from his team's latest setback.

"Hopefully we can use that (second-half) momentum to get us back on track," the coach said.

The men's team is back on the hardwood on Saturday afternoon when they host Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in a 1 pm tip-off.

- By Bob Kent, Sports Information Director