SELINSGROVE, PA – Billy Anderson scored a 27-point double-double on Wednesday night, leading Susquehanna men's basketball to a home conference victory over Lycoming, 82-67. It's the third win in four games for the River Hawks as they look to cement themselves in the Landmark Conference playoff race.
Anderson, whose 27 points were a season-high, caught fire early, scoring six of Susquehanna's first eight points, including four from second-chance opportunities. The River Hawks scored 17 total second-chance points in the game, compared to Lycoming's one.
The Warriors did grab the game's first momentum swing, going on a 15-5 run after a timeout midway through the first half. Isaiah Valentine spearheaded the momentum-shifting run, scoring eight points—six from beyond the arc. Three-point shooting was a key factor in the first half, with the Warriors shooting 7-12 from three, while the River Hawks shot just 2-11. Susquehanna fought back in the final five minutes of the first half, taking the momentum into the locker room with an 8-3 run, closing the Warriors' lead to just one at halftime, 35-34.
Jackson Van Wagener made a three-pointer on Susquehanna's first possession out of the break to take the lead right away. Van Wagener, who had a season-high of three three-pointers, complemented Anderson's 27 points with 18 of his own. A few minutes later, Cooper Haberern grabbed his own rebound off a missed three-pointer, drove in, and made a layup while drawing a foul. He converted the three-point play and finished in double digits with 10 points.
Susquehanna continued a steady barrage of scoring and defense in the second half, outscoring Lycoming 48-32 in the game's final minutes. They outpaced Lycoming from the free-throw line, shooting 81.8% compared to the Warriors' 44.4% from the charity stripe.
Another player who made an impact in all facets for the River Hawks -- Brandon Lavitt, who turned in a 12-point game while also grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out four assists. Marcus Mitchell, Luke Fryer, and Steven Ressler all played roles alongside Lavitt, scoring five points each.
The win improves the River Hawks' overall record to 13-9 while boosting their Landmark Conference record to 10-5. They travel to the University of Scranton on Saturday afternoon to take on a 10-12 Scranton team that fell short against Susquehanna in January, 68-60.
