BETHLEHEM, PA (January 20, 2024) – The Susquehanna men's basketball team stretched their win streak out to three games as they toppled another Landmark foe, beating Moravian 71-67 and completing a season sweep of the Greyhounds. A banner performance from first-year Michael Pirone, who racked up a career-high 17 points on six of seven shooting.
The River Hawks dominated proceedings in the early minutes, jumping out to a 13-2 lead less than five minutes into the game. Moravian would push back to pull back within single digits, but SU held their ground and carried a 31-28 lead into the halftime break. Marcus Mitchell led the way with 10 points in just that first period.
The second half would begin in a nearly identical manner, as Susquehanna ran out to a 9-1 run to start the half, pushing out to a 12-point lead on two different three-point makes, one from Pirone and one from Cooper Haberern. Their biggest lead was 14 points, as Steven Ressler hit a three as well, making the score 51-37 with 10:35 remaining in the game. The contest would tighten back up down the stretch with some timely shots from Moravian, including multiple threes in the final two minutes that cut the lead all the way down to a single point. After having their offense lead the way for most of the game, it was the defense that sealed it in the end, as the River Hawks would force three empty possessions in the final minutes while making five of seven free throws at the other end to seal the 71-67 win.
Six of ten shooting from beyond the arc in the second half helped the River Hawks to keep their lead down the stretch, led by three makes from Pirone and Ressler. Pirone's 17 points led the team, while Ressler followed just behind with 15 points. Mitchell and Brandon Lavitt would each score 12 to complete the group of four River Hawks in double digits. Lavitt compiled a double-double as he racked up 10 rebounds.
Now 11-5 overall and 9-1 in the Landmark, tied for first in the conference, Susquehanna's next contest will again take them on the road, as they'll head to DC to face #20 Catholic in a battle for sole possession of first place. They'll tip off on Wednesday, January 24 at 6 pm.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
