SWARTHMORE, PA (December 7, 2022) -- First-year Brandon Lavitt tallied a career-high 20 points while adding seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough as a big first-half by host Swarthmore College pushed the hosts past the Susquehanna University men's basketball team in non-conference play from Tarble Pavillion. 

The River Hawks (3-5) were behind by just one five minutes in after Billy Anderson finished a nice pass from senior Quincy Haughton to make it 8-7 Swarthmore. The Garnet (8-1) went on a 13-2 run over the next eight minutes to take a 21-9 lead following a George Visconti lay-up. 

The first half lead for the Garnet grew up to 23 just before half but sophomore Luke Edwards nailed a three just before the end of the period to make it a 20-point deficit for the River Hawks at the break. The River Hawks rallied to within 12 points with 9:32 to go but the Garnet wouldn't let go of its lead as it held on for the victory. Susquehanna outscored its host 43-42 in the second half, including a 25-6 edge in bench points in the second stanza. 

Lavitt got to his personal-high on 5-of-12 shooting, making 10-of-12 from the free throw line. Anderson was solid as well for the River Hawks with a career-high 16 points, as he shot 70 percent on the night on 10 shot attempts. Edwards finished with nine points, and senior Howie Rankine, Jr. also tallied eight points, five rebounds and five assists. 

Sophomore Marcus Mitchell also posted five points off the bench for the River Hawks, which shot 36.5 percent (23-63) from the field on the night. Susquehanna was strong at the free throw line, making 15-of-20, and turned the ball over just 11 times. 

Visconti went for a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Vinny DeAngelo and Michael Caprise finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Swarthmore, which is receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, shot 50 percent from the field in the victory. 

Susquehanna will take on Neumann University at home Saturday, December 10 in Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium at 2 p.m. in non-conference play.