By Matt Kellam

SHIPPENSBURG — The Shippensburg Greyhounds (9-4, 5-2 MPC) turned up the defensive pressure at the start of the second half to turn a two-point halftime deficit into a 10-point lead at the end of the third en route to a 65-54 win over Mechanicsburg in a non-conference game Wednesday night in Shippensburg.

Shippensburg trailed 25-23 at the half, but used a trapping defense and some hot shooting from Isaiah Houser and Jayden Statum to lead 46-36 by the end of the quarter.

Mechanicsburg was able to cut the lead to under 10 several times in the fourth, but back-to-back 3-point shots from both Isaiah and Adam Houser stopped the Wildcat rally.

Statum, a freshman, led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points, followed by Isaiah Houser with 12, on four 3-point shots.  Collin Taylor and Adam Houser each had 11 points.

The Greyhounds return to action Friday night when they travel to Big Spring. They are home next Tuesday, hosting the Waynesboro Indians.  That game will be carried on MidPennBroadcasting.com.

Shippensburg 65, Mechanicsburg 54
SHIPPENSBURG
Anthony Smith 3 2-2 8, Jayden Statum 7 5-8 19, Isaiah Houser 4 0-0 12, Collin Taylor 5 1-4 11, Adam Houser 3 3-4  11, Carson Helfrick 1 0-0 2, Noah Riess 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 11-18 65.
Mechanicsburg     9     16     11     18   —  54
Shippensburg      13     10     23    19    —  65
3-point shots — Ship 5 ( I.Houser 3, A.Houser 2).