By Levi Cressler

The Shippensburg Greyhounds (13-1, 9-0 MPC) started yet another three game week with a road win over the Boiling Springs Bubblers (9-8, 6-4 MPC) by a score of 63-44 Monday night. In a game featuring both storied programs all-time leading scorers, (Ship’s Jayden Statum and Boiling Springs Trey Martin) it was the visiting Greyhounds who took game one of the 2021-2022 series.

Martin, a Shippensburg University commit, drained a long three point field goal just moments into the game. From that point on he was bottled up by foul trouble and the Greyhounds three man rotation of defenders. Those defenders, Jeremy Thomas, Erby Weller, and Trey Kater all took turns throughout the game defending the talented Martin. The Greyhounds on the other hand, found their offensive stride as the first half wore on by scoring buckets in transition and off of offensive rebounds. Eight different Shippensburg players recorded a rebound in the first quarter alone for the Mid-Penn Colonial leaders. “Rebounding was certainly a point of emphasis for us tonight,” pointed out Greyhound coach Ray Staver.

It was the second quarter that saw Statum catch fire. He tallied 14 of the Shippensburg 20 points, including an array of slick drives to the basket and two three point field goals from nearly the same spot on the left wing. The Bubblers hung tough with both Maddox Labuda and Marcus Boyle, (6 and 5 points respectively) carrying the scoring load with Martin out with his third personal foul.

The Bubblers came out in the second half looking rejuvenated as they held the Greyhounds to just 8 points in the third quarter. Despite some offensive struggles, the Greyhounds rebounding and defensive efforts managed to keep the Bubblers at bay.

In the fourth the Bubblers took one more big swing and cut the Shippensburg lead to 7 before Coach Staver took a timeout. “ We got our guys a breather and then we rebounded and defended really well those last few minutes,” according to Staver.

Statum led the Hounds with a game high 23 points, despite missing some time after he excited with an injury. “He’s a tough kid, and I told him after the game that he’s a tough son of a gun,” said Staver when referring to his senior point guard. “He certainly has shown his toughness over the four years we have had him .”

Trey Martin led the Bubblers with a team high 14 points. The veteran Greyhound coach also acknowledged the efforts of Martin. “He’s a heck of a player and he carries such a big load for that team,” said Staver.

The Greyhounds, who have won 13 straight games, continue Mid-Penn Colonial play Tuesday night as they host the Northern Polar Bears. Shippensburg won the prior meeting between the two clubs 54-31 on January 26^th. Game time is slated for 7:30 PM.

Shippensburg (63)
Statum 9 2-3 23, Kater 1 1-2 3, Weller 2 0-0 4, Funk 3 2-6 8, Thomas 6 4-5 17, Muhaluk 4 0-2 8 Totals 25  9-18 63
Boiling Springs (44)
Martin 4 3-5 14, Richie 2 1-2 6, Boyle 6 0-2 13, Decker 1 0-0 2, Lubuda 3 1-4 9. Totals 16  5-13 44

SHIPPENSBURG  15  20   8   20- 63
Boiling Springs     6   15  13  10- 44
Three point shots: Shippensburg 4 (Statum 3, Thomas 1) Boiling Springs 5 (Lubuda 2, Martin 1, Richie 1, Boyle 1)