Box Score SELINSGROVE, PA (February 20, 2024) - The Susquehanna University men's basketball team defeated the Goucher College Gophers 85-59 Tuesday night in the first round of the Landmark Conference Tournament, advancing to the Landmark Semifinals for a rematch at Drew University on Thursday. The River Hawks and Rangers split the season series, with Susquehanna taking the first matchup at the Palestra by an 85-74 score, then Drew exacting revenge on their home court this past Saturday, 94-82.
The River Hawks wasted no time getting started, starting the game on a 7-0 run thanks to baskets from
Brandon Lavitt,
Jackson Van Wagener, and a three from
Cooper Haberern just over two minutes in. From there Susquehanna left Goucher in the dust, holding the lead for the rest of the game. They increased it to 23-6 with 10:59 left and piled onto it even further taking a commanding 40-18 lead into the break behind balanced scoring from Lavitt, Van Wagener, Haberern,
Billy Anderson,
Steven Ressler, and
Michael Pirone, while holding the Gophers to 9-31 shooting and forcing 14 turnovers.
The second half was straightforward for the River Hawks as the lead never got lower than 19. The defense eased up as Goucher scored 41 points in the half, but Susquehanna's offense never missed a beat as they scored 45 points, while shooting 18-34 from the field. This kept any potential Goucher comeback in check, sealing the win for Susquehanna.
Five River Hawks scored in double figures with Ressler leading the group with 20 points along with nine rebounds and three steals. Anderson and Pirone stepped up off the bench with 16 points and 12 points, respectively. Lavitt played a complete game with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals, and Van Wagener chipped in with 10 points in his return to the starting lineup. As a team Susquehanna shot 50 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from three on 19 attempts, all while holding Goucher to just 36.9 percent shooting including 14.3 percent from three. They also controlled the paint with 50 points in the paint to Goucher's 36 and dominating with their second unit as the bench scored 34 points.
Susquehanna now moves onto the Landmark Conference Semifinals for a third meeting with the Drew University Rangers on Thursday night Feb. 22 in Madison, N.J.
