SELINSGROVE, PA (January 21, 2023) -- Senior guard Howie Rankine, Jr. poured in a game-high 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting, adding six rebounds and three steals as the host River Hawks of Susquehanna University defeated Moravian University 73-62 in Landmark Conference men's basketball action Saturday inside O.W. Houts Gymnasium. 

The River Hawks (9-8, 3-3 Landmark) trailed 4-2 early on but rattled off the game's next 13 points to lead by 11 just over five minutes into the game. SU's lead would swell up to 19 with 9:49 to go in the opening stanza on a triple from first-year Jackson Van Wagener, cruising into the halftime intermission with a 12-point lead at 41-29. 

SU grew its lead back up to 18 points four minutes into the second half on a jumper from Rankine, but a 10-0 run by Moravian pulled the Greyhounds to within seven at 54-47 with 11:14 to go. After SU pushed its edge back up over 10, Moravian once again got as close as six with 6:39 left on another Marquis Ratcliff bucket to make it 61-55.

Susquehanna would slowly push its lead back up into double digits, closing out the win from the free throw line. Rankine was one of five players in double figures, as Brandon Lavitt just missed a double-double with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Van Wagener added 11 points, while senior Quincy Haughton tallied 11 points, six boards and two steals. 

Sophomore Isaiah Oluajayi came off the bench to added 10 points and seven rebounds for SU, which was 27-of-63 (42.9 percent) from the floor Saturday. SU posted a 15-4 edge in second chance points as well. 

Ratcliff totaled 21 points and eight rebounds in the loss for Moravian (6-11, 3-3 Landmark). 

Susquehanna hosts Goucher College Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in more Landmark Conference play.