Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Landmark Conference season could not have gotten off to a more exciting start for the Susquehanna men's basketball team as the Crusaders took down Juniata, 78-74, in overtime on Saturday evening. In a game that featured 17 lead changes, neither team took more than eight-point edge, but it was SU that triumphed in the extra session.

The Crusaders (2-5, 1-0) out-scored the Eagles (3-4, 0-1) 31-29 in the second half to help force overtime and Susquehanna scored 19 points to Juniata's 15 in overtime to grab the win.

Four SU players reached double figures, led by Rob Estep's game-high 18 off the bench. J.T. Wilson added 17, while freshman center Harley Sellinger and Harvey Pannell chipped in 16 and 15, respectively. Estep, Wilson and Sellinger also all added eight boards apiece as Susquehanna held an overall 39-35 edge over the Eagles.

Neither team shot particularly well from the free throw line, as SU finished with a 66 percent (23-for-35) showing while Juniata shot just 60 percent (12-for-20). The Crusaders did, however, shoot 49 percent from the floor while Juniata managed just a 41 percent showing.

SU's largest lead in the first half at 14-10 with 13:41 to go on a two-point basket by Pannell. Juniata brought the score to within one on the next possession by way of a three pointer by Brian Scholly.

The rest of the half stayed within three points until the Eagles made a free-throw to go up 28-24 with 3:38 left in the half. The Crusaders answered back with four points before Juniata made the final basket of the half, and went into the locker room with a 30-28 lead.

Juniata managed to increase its lead to six in the first two minutes of the second half, 35-29. SU cut the score to two once again, before knotting the game up at 37 with 15:07 remaining on a pair of Pannell free throws.

The rest of the second half saw nine lead changes and six ties before the final buzzer sounded.

As the extra frame got under way, SU netted the first basket just nine seconds in before Juniata took its only lead of overtime, 62-61, with 4:07 left.

After the 12th and final deadlock at 64, SU went on a 12-4 run over the final three minutes to end the game.

Pannell dished out a game-high-tying six assists, to go along with four boards and an assist.

The Crusaders received great bench play by E.J. Duncan, who stepped in to play 30 minutes and recorded six points, four assists and three rebounds.

SU held a slim advantage in rebounds, 39-35, but made four blocked shots compared to none by the Eagles.

Fran Bryzki had two of the four blocks for the Crusaders.

Next game for Susquehanna:  Monday, Dec. 6, at Misericordia, 7 p.m.