WASHINGTON, DC (January 13, 2023) – Riding a four-game win streak that included crucial wins against Landmark opponents Drew and Scranton, the Susquehanna men's basketball team traveled to face another conference rival on Friday evening, that being 22nd-ranked Catholic University. In an incredible back-and-forth affair between gritty defenses, Susquehanna would overcome an early deficit to ultimately claim their fifth-straight win, topping the Cardinals 64-51.
The game could not have started much worse for the River Hawks, as Catholic scored 11 unanswered points before SU could get on the board, getting their first points on a layup by Audric Washington at the 14:59 mark. Susquehanna would slowly eat away at that gap for the remainder of the first half, with both teams struggling to find consistent scoring, as both shot below 30 percent from the floor. Brandon Lavitt hit a jumper in the final minute of the first half to cut the lead to just three points, and the teams went to the locker rooms with the score 22-19 in Catholic's favor.
Jackson Van Wagener hit a three-pointer in the opening seconds of the second half to tie the game, but the teams continued to trade shots as the half wore on, neither managing to take firm control of the lead. Susquehanna would reach a five-point lead at the 12:33 mark on a successful and-one play by Howie Rankine, Jr., but Catholic pushed right back, reclaiming the lead. The teams coalesced at 43 points with 7:01 left in the game, and this would be the point where SU took the lead and never again surrendered it, as Luke Edwards made a free throw to make the score 44-43. From there, the River Hawks went on their own scoring run, topping Catholic's total as they tallied 16 unanswered points.
It was Rankine, Jr. who led the River Hawks on that run, and for much of the second half, as he finished the game with 21 points, including a hefty 13 of 15 from the foul line. He also grabbed five rebounds, had three steals, and two assists. Brandon Lavitt would be the other SU player to hit double-digit scoring as he continued his fine run of form, scoring 12 points and tying for the team lead with eight rebounds. Washington and Van Wagener also had eight rebounds.
Now back above .500 at 8-7 overall and 3-1 in the Landmark Conference, the River Hawks will continue their play on the road as they'll face Juniata College next week on Wednesday, January 18 at 7 pm. The Eagles are 3-0 in the Landmark Conference and the two teams will be looking to firmly establish their place as contenders for the conference crown in 2023.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
