Lamar Talley was the key instrument in Shippensburg's 80-68 win over the Shepherd men in an interesting Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference game. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Shippensburg’s Lamar Talley seemed to relish his assigned task.

He was to use his 6-foot-5 height to blanket Shepherd’s leading scorer, Thomas Lang, who is six-feet-tall.

Talley, who scored only three points, actually was the key instrument in Shippensburg’s arsenal as the potent Red Raiders posted an 80-68 win over the Shepherd men in an interesting Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference game.

Lang, who entered the night averaging 18.6 points, was severely limited by the quickness and tenacity of Talley. Lang could get only three shots (making two) from the floor. His only free throw in 34 minutes of court time left him with a season low six points, and left the Rams with a 9-11 overall record and 5-9 PSAC mark. The high-flying Red Raiders moved their Division-leading record to 17-3 overall and 10-2 in the conference.

Talley never tired in his strenuous efforts. He fought through every screen Shepherd tried in doing what it could to somehow free Lang. Even Lang’s touches were limited and to his credit he didn’t force shots when he actually received passes. Talley was that able to control Shepherd’s sometimes lethal point producer.

The Red Raiders didn’t need the scoring of Talley when they had point guard Jake Biss and forward John Costello doing the majority of their scoring or rebounding.

Biss acted like the CEO of a Fortune 500 business located in New York City. He orchestrated the Red Raider offense in such an orderly, unhurried manner as if it were an everyday Wall Street Brokerage Exchange. Scoring 22 points, securing six rebounds and doling out five assists, Biss was very efficient in his leadership role.

Costello ruined Shepherd with his 16 second-half points that left him with a game total of 25 points. He also led all rebounders with his 12 boards.

Two Shippensburg reserves — Dom Sleva and Kyon Hardy — played well, with Sleva scoring 12 points and Hardy adding his 10 points off the bench. Shepherd’s hustle had them nipping at Shippensburg’s flanks throughout. But the Rams didn’t shoot well from anywhere, including the foul line.

The Rams showed only one offensive rebound in the first half

After taking a 35-34 lead at the half, Shepherd’s options were pared when both Daniel McClain-Corley and Kyle Daggett where removed with three fouls with fully 17:05 remaining to play.

Costello became the game’s main force with his three-point marksmanship. And the Red Raiders were off and moving away.

Jon Preston was Shepherd’s most consistent contributor, showing 12 points and 11 rebounds.

In the final reckoning, it was Talley who had left his indelible stamp on the outcome — clamping Lang with his quickness and never flagging hustle.