MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. – The Carthage College Red Men finished their trip to South Beach on a high note, Wednesday night, holding on to top the Lions of Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, 88-83.
 
The win moves the Red Men to 6-6 on the season, while the Lions fall to 8-3 with the loss.
 
"Thought we played an excellent 35 minutes of basketball and held on late," said head coach Bosko Djurickovic after the win.  "Proud of our guys effort tonight and execution in a much-needed win against a very nice team. Harrisburg is a big and physical team who is plus 12 on the boards. We were even with them for most of the game and then gave up a few too many offensive boards down the stretch."
 
Carthage trailed much of the first half with the Lions building a seven-point lead over the Red Men midway through the half, 24-17.  The Red Men then battled back courtesy of 16 points off 11 Lions turnovers in the half to cut into the lead and eventually take their first lead since the opening minute at the 6:23 mark of the first half, 30-29.  The Red Men dominated the rest of the half with a 21-7 advantage to close out the half led by Preston Laketa with nine of his 19 first half points during the run, giving the Red Men a 49-36 lead at the break.  Down the stretch the Red Men were 9-13 from the field and 2-3 from deep, while holding the Penn State to 1-7 from the field and forcing four turnovers.
 
The Red Men looked like they were going to run away with it building an 18-point lead, 77-59, which was highlighted by a Sean Johnson and-one poster dunk.  The Lions battled back however, with a 22-7 run over 5:22 to cut the Red Men's lead to 84-81 with 2:27 remaining in the game.  Carthage would never let the Lions get closer, as a pair of Baltimore free throws in the final second sealed the win.
 
Laketa finished with a career-high 28 points in the win, going 11-21 from the field and 5-10 from three to lead all players in the game.  Four of the Red Men's five starters finished in double-figures, as Kienan Baltimore, Jordon Kedrowski and Sean Johnson joined Laketa, with 22, 15 and 14 respectively.  Baltimore finished with a game-high eight assists and Johnson had team-high with eight boards, three steals and four blocks.
 
Bosko noted, "Preston got us off to a good start on the offensive end. Jordon and Kienan continued their consistent play on both ends of the floor. Really nice to see Sean be more assertive."
 
As a team, the Red Men shot .524 from the field on 33-63 field goals and hit 11-25 threes at .440 from deep.  The Lions were held to .429 from the field and .368 from three, going 27-63 and 7-19 respectively.
 
Next up for the Carthage, the Red Men will enjoy two weeks off before returning to action in 2019, when they take on Wheaton College on the road on January 2nd.
 
"All CCIW the rest of the way. Wheaton has played well lately and is always a challenge."