HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team used a dominant first half to power past visiting Pennsylvania College of Technology, 72-55, Tuesday evening inside Memorial Gymnasium.  

Kohl Bernarding (Cochranton, Pa. / Cochranton H.S.) drilled a jumper from the foul line to open the scoring, the Wildcats scored on a layup, and JC followed with Kyle Ruggery (Duncansville, PA / Bishop Guilfoyle HS) finding Chase Husted (DuBois, Pa. / DuBois Area HS) on the block who finished with a nifty reverse layup. Good ball movement on the following Eagle offensive possession saw Nick Rigby (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon H.S.) swing the ball to Evan Eisenhart (York, Pa. / Central York H.S.), and he splashed a three.  

Kohl Bernarding with the swish! #GoEagles #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/tKaSkb4f5F

— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) January 5, 2022

Michael Montecalvo makin' it rain in Memorial! #WingsUp #GoEagles #TakingFlight pic.twitter.com/FjppnN9dS6

— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) January 5, 2022

The Eagles continued to play strong defense, as they didn't allow another Wildcat bucket until the 12-minute mark of the game. 

A John Kelly (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic High School) layup off a pass from Eisenhart made it 33-6, and Juniata cruised through the rest of the half, heading into the locker room up 47-16. 

The second half saw the Wildcats outscore JC, 39-25, in the second half, but Juniata still won with ease, 72-55. 

Evan Eisenhart got buckets! #WingsUp #TakingFlight #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/DIM7V77i7K

— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) January 5, 2022

The Eagles never trailed and led by as many as 33 in the game. They forced 29 turnovers and scored 38 points off the Wildcat turnovers. 

Juniata opens conference play this weekend on the road at Scranton. The tipoff is at 2:00.