Boxscore
KINGS POINT, N.Y. -- Susquehanna University's junior forward
Hunter McKain (Ligonier, Pa./Shady Side Academy)
came off the bench to record a team-high-tying 11 points, but
Susquehanna lost to the hosts of the United States Merchant Marine
Academy, 80-59, in a Landmark Conference men's basketball game at
James W. Liebertz Gymnasium on Jan. 23.
McKain also led SU with eight rebounds and was a
perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
Susquehanna (11-7, 4-3 Landmark) held a 10-7 lead over the USMMA
(14-3, 6-1 Landmark) with 14 minutes, 48 seconds to go in the first
half for its largest lead of the game after a jumper by freshman
forward J.T. Wilson (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII
Regional). But a technical foul on the SU bench after that
play gave the Mariners two free-throw shots that cut the lead to
one point. There was a foul, however, by the USMMA on the made
basket by Wilson. Wilson sank the
ensuing free-throw as part of his 11-point afternoon to give the
Crusaders their final lead of the game at 11-9.
The USMMA responded with a three-pointer to go up, 12-11, and
gradually built its lead to 40-31 at the half.
SU's senior guard Bryan Majors (Harrisburg,
Pa./Harrisburg) dished out a game-high-tying six assists
and made four steals. Freshman guard/forward Harvey Pannell
(Bloomfield, Conn./St. Thomas More) and senior forward
Marcus Burke (Hyde Park, Mass./Brimmer and May)
each scored 11 points. Pannell pulled down three
rebounds, while Burke recorded four boards and
made a game-high seven free throws (on 11 attempts).
The Crusaders' sophomore guard Spenser Spencer (Seattle,
Wash./Lakeside) tallied 10 points, eight of which came in
a four-minute span late in the second half.
Over the first 10 minutes of the second half, the USMMA lead
stayed between seven and 10 points. Susquehanna had multiple
chances to dig into the lead but missed five straight shots in a
1:41 span. The Mariners answered SU's misses with an 8-0 run
over the next 2:37 to increase their lead to 63-45.
Susquehanna tried to fight back, using the eight points from
Spencer, but the deficit was too much.
The USMMA's senior guard Ryan Samuel (Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar
Hill) led all players with 15 points on five-of-nine shooting from
the field. Teammate and junior forward Matt Hueber [Alexandria,
Va./Gonzaga College HS (D.C.)] pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds,
while sophomore guard Kevin Kerr (Oakdale, N.Y./St. Anthony's) tied
a game-high with six assists. Junior forward Tom Izzo (Bridgeport,
W.Va./Bridgeport) made a team-high two steals.
Susquehanna was outrebounded, 46-29 (19-8 offensive), and the
USMMA made 12 of 34 tries from three-point distance. SU was only
five of 21 from long range.
Next Game: Friday, Jan. 29, vs. Catholic (Landmark
Conference game), 7:30 p.m.
