SELINSGROVE, PA – Senior
Brandon Lavitt scored a career-high 30 points against Elizabethtown at home on Saturday afternoon. Despite this and a lavish second half shooting the ball, the Blue Jays' countered with a 30-point game of their own via Austin Finarelli and held on for a 72-68 decision.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. The River Hawks responded just a few minutes later with a 10-9 run of their own to cut the deficit to just three points at the 13:14 mark. Audric Washington led Susquehanna during that stretch with six points.
- Lavitt took control offensively before the break, scoring a team-high nine points, though the River Hawks were unable to mount a comeback. Susquehanna trailed 34-23 heading into halftime.
- Lavitt scored eight more points for the River Hawks coming out of the break, helping them get back on track as they opened the half with a 10-6 run over the first five minutes.
- Jackson Van Wagener made a three pointer at the 14:20 mark in the game, drawing Elizabethtown's lead all the way down to just four, 40-36.
- The River Hawks created much-needed momentum near the 6:00 mark in the second half, capping off a 7-2 run over a two-minute span, cutting the lead to just three.
- Logan Rhoades made a three-pointer with 4:24 remaining, cutting the Blue Jays' lead to just one point. Just one minute later, Jackson Van Wagener made a mid-range jump shot to tie the game at 59.
- Lavitt scored his 29th and 30th points of the day on a pair of free throws with 3:14 left to take the lead, 61-59.
- Elizabethtown went on a run in the game's final three minutes, securing the Landmark Conference victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lavitt bested his previous career best of 24 set during his rookie season in 2022-23, coincidentally the same season a River Hawk last had a 30-point game when Howie Rankine Jr. dropped 33 points on Lebanon Valley on Nov. 18, 2022. Lavitt's big day also coincided with head coach Frank Marcinek presenting him his 1,000th career point ball prior to tipoff Saturday after reaching the milestone against Scranton on Jan. 10.
- Elizabethtown shot 47.5% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, higher than Susquehanna's 39.7% from the field and 25% from three-point range. The River Hawks did make one more three pointer than the Blue Jays.
- Susquehanna made a season-high 88.9% of their free throws.
- Lavitt also led the team in rebounds alongside Audric Washington. The two each grabbed eight rebounds with Washington adding 12 points to his line.
- Van Wagener dished out a team-high four assists and scored 15 points.
- Logan Rhoades made both of his three point attempts, scoring six points in just 15 minutes of action.
UP NEXT FOR THE RIVER HAWKS
- Susquehanna will now shift its focus to a three-game road trip; they will travel to Huntingdon on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm to take on Juniata College.
