The Crimson basketball team matched Pennsylvania point for point in the second half of their game at the Blockhouse yesterday, but a miserable first half by the home team handed Penn a 61 to 47 victory.
Shooting by Norm Shepard's team during the first half set a new low in accuracy. The Crimson made only five baskets from the floor, and three of these were easy lay-up shots by Captain Ed Smith. As the half ended the losers had made a pitiful 13 percent of their shots and were trailing, 31 to 17.
While the Crimson was heaving with ineffective vigor, Pennsylvania was piling up points on careful and well-timed shooting. Sophomore Ernie Beck used a beautiful falling-away jump shot very effectively, getting four goals in each period.
More relaxed after its between periods rest, the Crimson came back and began three long push shots, and Jim Gabler to play a good game. Gerry Murphy hit made seven fast points. Defensive board control increased by leaps and bounds. The Crimson narrowed the deficit to eight points at one time, 39 to 31.
But as they began to catch up, the Crimson players became over-eager. Shooting was more and more irresponsible as men popped away from all angles and at all times.
For the first time this year Dick Lionette failed to score a single point. The big sophomore did not start, and when he came in he had trouble with his hook shots.
same time as Smith, and as a consequence had Beck, a fine defensive player, on him all the time.
Beck was by far the best player to appear at the I.A.B. so far this season. He rebounded excellently despite the fact that he is four inches smaller than Smith, made it almost impossible for Smith or Lionette to drive in under the basket, and scored consistently on his fadeaway shot. He had 21 points, and Dick Dougherty was second with 11.
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