SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Susquehanna University men's basketball team clinched the top seed in the 2020 Landmark Conference Men's Basketball Championship with a dominating win Saturday afternoon. Susquehanna (18-7, 11-3 LC) opened up a 31-point lead with 5:35 remaining in the first half and never looked back in posting an 84-53 victory over the visiting Juniata College Eagles (6-19, 3-11 LC) to sweep the season series.
 
The River Hawks grab the No. 1 seed in the Landmark playoffs for the just the second time in program history as SU was the top seed for the first-ever Landmark Conference Championship in 2007-08. Susquehanna has made nine appearances in the Landmark tournament, finishing as the runner-up in 2009, 2014, and 2016.
 
As the top seed, SU will host fourth-seeded Moravian College in the Landmark semifinals on Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. in Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium. The two teams split the season series this year with each squad winning on the road. Wednesday's other semifinal matchup will feature No. 3 seed University of Scranton at No. 2 seed Drew University at 7:00 p.m. in Madison, N.J.
 
Prior to the start of the game, the River Hawks honored their three seniors – guards Jordan Harnum (Denver, Colo./Trinity-Pawling (N.Y.)) and John Long (Addsleigh Park, N.Y./Pomfret School (Conn.)) and forward Zachary Knecht (Parkland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas).
 
Susquehanna 84, Juniata 53
 
How It Happened
First Half

• Susquehanna came into the game with the hot hand as the River Hawks made a blistering 67.7-percent of their shots in the first 20 minutes while going 8-for-11 at the free throw line.
• The Eagles led by one inside the first two minutes of the game before SU opened up a 26-6 advantage midway through the half.
• SU scored 26 more points in the next 10 minutes to own a 52-28 lead at halftime.
• The River Hawks led by 31 at 5:35 on a jump shot by junior guard Mike Kempski (West Chester, Pa./Salesianum) and again at 5:02 on a hook shot by sophomore center Wes Simons (Jefferson Township, Pa./Scranton Prep).

 
Halftime

• Knecht led all players at the break with 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting and a 4-for-4 effort at the line while junior guard Bryce Butler (Abingdon, Md./Suffield Academy) adding 11.
• Cameron Keck paced the Eagles in the first 20 minutes with nine points as Keck didn't miss from the field or the line.
• With 26 fouls called in the first half, Juniata went 15-for-20 at the charity stripe.

 
Second Half

• The River Hawks dominance continued in the second half as Juniata was only able to trim the deficit down to 24 (59-35) at 15:30 on a jumper by Marcus Hall.
• The commanding lead allowed Susquehanna to clear the bench and the reserves poured in 44 points in 40 minutes to contribute to the team's 31-point victory.

 
Inside the Box Score

• Susquehanna's margin of victory during its five-game win streak jumped to +24 with today's 31-point win.
• Today marked the second consecutive game that the River Hawks bench tallied 40-plus points.
• The River Hawks shared the ball whenever they had the chance, collecting a season-high 24 assists. Sophomore guard Danny Frauenheim (Point Pleasant Beach, N.J./Point Pleasant Beach) led the way with a game-best nine dimes.
• The inside game continued to be a highlight of Susquehanna's offense as the River Hawks outscored Juniata, 46-22, in the paint.
• Susquehanna improves to 104-79 in the all-time series with a two-game win streak over the Eagles.

 
Top Performers

• Knecht tallied all of his team-best 12 points in 8:55 minutes of action in the first half without missing a single shot while Butler finished with 11.
• Simons chipped in 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting while sophomore guard Jay Martin (Columbia, Md./River Hill) grabbed a team-high four boards and added eight points.
• Hall was the leading scorer for the Eagles with 12 while Nate DaCanal came up with 11 points and a game-best seven boards in the team's third consecutive loss.

 
Up Next for the River Hawks

• Feb. 26 vs. Moravian (14-11, 9-5) – Selinsgrove, Pa. / O.W. Houts Gym – Landmark Conference Semifinals – 7:00 p.m.

 
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