ALLENTOWN, Pa.-The Juniata men's basketball team fell to #11 Wittenberg, 80-60, Saturday afternoon on the second day of the Scotty Wood Tournament.
The Tigers opened the game with a layup, but Juniata countered with a Jake Holsopple (Duncansville, Pa. / Hollidaysburg) three off a pass from Brandon Martinazzi (Cresson, Pa. / Bishop Carroll). Juniata couldn't find the bottom of the net for the next three minutes until Martinazzi drilled a three which made it 14-6. John Kelly (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic High School) scored to make it 18-8. Noah Neville found Nicholas Albert (Herndon, Va. / Westfield High) for a lay in that made it 22-10. Neville converted from deep off a pass from Nate DaCanal (Johnsonburg, Pa. / Elk County Catholic).
With five minutes to go in the first half Martinazzi found Nathan Markey (York, Pa. / Central York) for a triple but a layup 20 seconds later by Wittenberg pushed their lead back to 19 at 37-18. Cameron Keck (Waynesboro, Pa. / Waynesboro) set up DaCanal for a three to make it 41-26 heading into halftime.
The Eagles couldn't close the deficit in the second half, as Juniata wound up falling 80-60.
It was a strong showing by the Eagle bench, as they produced 33 points. They also shot well from three as they shot 47.8% from three, sinking 11 threes.
Martello and Martinazzi were named to the all-tournament team.
Juniata returns to action Tuesday at 7:00 against Washington and Jefferson.