SCRANTON, PA – The Susquehanna men's basketball team was unable to overcome an early deficit at Scranton on Saturday, as well as the Royals making over 50 percent of their field goals in a 75-56 defeat.
While Billy Anderson knocked down another team high with 16 points and six rebounds, his 5-for-7 outing from the floor was the bright spot for a Susquehanna team that fared 38.3 shooting for the contest on 18-of-47, including 7-of-24 on threes. Scranton found the touch with a 51.8 field goal percentage for the afternoon on 29-of-56 shooting, despite just 3-of-15 from long range. This was bolstered by Will McLoughlin's game-high 28 points after an 11-of-15 day shooting. Both sides came out even on the glass with a 31-31 tie on the boards, with Audric Washington and Steven Ressler adding five rebounds. Washington finished with eight markers, while Ressler drilled one 3-pointer to make up his point contributions for the day.
The game was contentious in the beginning, with Susquehanna shooting 41 percent from the field in the game's first 15 minutes. Things changed near the end of the first half as they only had one field goal fall to close out the half, while Scranton went on an 11-4 run to wrap the opening session holding a 30-20 halftime lead. While the River Hawks improved their shooting in the second half, so did the Royals who posted a staggering 61.5 second-half field goal percentage (16-of-26) to remain ahead. Susquehanna was also guilty of 18 turnovers, which Scranton converted into 19 points off turnovers. Conversely, Susquehanna swiped nine turnovers from the Royals for eight points. Scranton also held a 40-20 ledger in points in the paint.
Jackson Van Wagener tallied eight points on the day after a 3-for-5 day shooting the ball, making two 3-pointers. Cooper Haberern also had a pair of threes drop in as he finished with six points and two steals. He moved into fifth all-time at Susquehanna with 161 career made 3-pointers. Michael Pirone added a three to go with his seven points, while Logan Rhoades added four points with one three and Luke Fryer also with four points.
The River Hawks still have time to pick things up with a Landmark Tournament spot locked in and two games still to play this regular season. They are tied for fourth place with Moravian, both with 10-6 league records and each side splitting a home victory in their season series. Ahead for the River Hawks is a road meeting at Juniata (1-21, 1-14 Landmark), then a home duel next Saturday with first-place Drew, who are undefeated in Landmark action this season at 16-0 with a 20-3 overall mark. Moravian, meanwhile, closes out with a two-game homestand against third-place Wilkes (17-6, 11-5 Landmark) this Wednesday, then Juniata next Saturday. Both Susquehanna and Moravian defeated Juniata in their first matchups, while the River Hawks currently have the edge over the Greyhounds with a win against Wilkes. Moravian fell to the Colonels, 91-66, in their first meeting on Jan. 22.
