EDINBORO, Pa. – The Thiel College men's basketball team was defeated 86-77 in its final exhibition game of the season Saturday by the Division II Edinboro Fighting Scots.
 
The game was an exhibition for the Tomcats, but it was the regular-season opener for the Fighting Scots.
 
The game was tied 34-34 at halftime. The Tomcats also forced a 68-68 tie with 5:48 remaining in regulation when Avril Campbell (Dumfries, Va./Potomac) scored on a dunk after receiving a pass from Nyric Gosley (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport).
 
The Fighting Scots earned the win by outdistancing the Tomcats 18-9 down the stretch.
 
Tyreik Burton (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) led the Tomcats with 29 points. He made 10-of-12 shots from the floor, including a 6-for-7 effort from beyond the 3-point line.
 
Mert Ozkaynak (Izmir, Turkey/T.C. Williams) and Campbell both recorded double-doubles for the Tomcats. Ozkaynak scored 14 points and led his team with 10 assists while Campbell scored 12 points and led the Tomcats with 10 rebounds. Alonzo Brown (Largo, Fla./Pinellas Park) also contributed 12 points for Thiel.
 
Keshawn Liggins led Edinbro with 34 points. Jaymon Mason and Anthony Coleman also contributed 14 points apiece.
 
The Tomcats will begin regular-season play Friday when they face Penn State Beaver during Westminster College's Buzz Ridl Classic. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.