CHAMBERSBURG — Holding only a 2-point lead at halftime, the Chambersburg boys basketball team needed a little more of something in the second half to beat a scrappy State College team.

Josh Rudy

That extra something turned out to be a lock-down defense, with a few fast-break buckets thrown in for good measure. And that enabled the Trojans to earn a 59-44 Mid Penn Commonwealth victory at CASHS Field House on Tuesday night.

“I think all we talked about at halftime was defense,” Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said. “It was simple. We had to do a better job of closing out on their shooters and containing their dribbles. And we did a much better job of that in the second half.”

The Trojans (12-5, 8-4 MPC) broke out to a 17-5 lead in the first quarter, thanks to 10 points by Colton Cornwell, who has been hot from 3-point range lately. He ended up with 21 points, giving him 20 points or more in 3 of the last 4 games.

But in the second period, the Little Lions (10-8, 7-5 MPC) were able to get into the lane on the dribble, which produced some layups. It also led to kick-out passes that led to four 3-pointers, and State College trimmed the Trojan lead to 29-27 by halftime.

But when the second half started, it was a different Chambersburg team. It scored 12 of the first 14 points thanks to better defense and several fast-break buckets, which were non-existent in the first half.

Shreffler said, “We talked at the half that defense leads to offense and the second half was the epitome of that. We got stops, got out running and filled the lanes.”

By the end of the third quarter, the Trojans led 43-31 and never led by less than 9 from that point on.

Chambersburg’s defense flustered the Little Lions’ spread offense, closing the driving lanes and shutting out passes to the shooters. State College shot 2-for-11 in the third and scored only 4 points.

“No. 0 (Micah James) had his way on the boards against us the first time we played,” Shreffler said, “but we held him to just two points tonight with a team effort. Josh Rudy was really good on defense against No. 30 (Chase Rhoades, 6 points) and had three assists and no turnovers. He’s gaining confidence.”

NOTES: The Trojans also got 10 points from Grayson Kegerreis and 7 by Landon Buhrman … Parker Thurley knocked down five 3-pointers for 15 points for SC … The Little Lions did not shoot a free throw; Chambersburg took only 10.

Chambersburg 59, State College 44
SSTATE COLLEGE
Micah James 1 0-0 2, Parker Thurley 5 0-0 15, Michael Powell 1 0-0 2, Connor Baldwin 2 0-0 4, Lucas Starks 2 0-0 5, Spencer Neilson 2 0-0 4, J.J. Powell 2 0-0 6, Chase Rhoades 3 0-0 6. Totals 18 0-0 44.
CHAMBERSBURG
Josh Rudy 2 0-0 4, Aedan Walker 0 0-0 0, Grayson Kegerreis 3 2-2 10, Jarrett Gipe 1 0-0 2, Angelo Onomastico 2 0-0 6, Colton Cornwell 8 1-2 21, Cooper Stockslager 0 0-0 0, Landon Buhrman 3 1-5 7, Seth Gilliam 2 1-1 5, Brennen Smith 0 0-0 0, Daryan Myers 1 0-0 2, Brady Truett 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 5-10 59.
State College             7     20       4     15     —     44
Chambersburg       17     12     14     16     —     59 
3-point shots — SC 8 (Thurley 5, J.Powell 2, Starks); Chbg 8 (Cornwell 4, Kegerreis 2, Onomastico 2). Shooting — SC 18-41 (44%); Chbg 23-39 (59%). Turnovers — SC 9; Chbg 11.