WILKES-BARRE, PA – First-year guard
KJ Carson scored a career-high 20 points against Wilkes University on Wednesday night, helping Susquehanna men's basketball get back on the right track with a 90-86 win, posting a season sweep of the Colonels. The victory snapped a three-game skid as Susquehanna remains in contention for a Landmark Tournament spot with five games to play at 6-7 in the Landmark and 10-10 overall.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
- The River Hawks trailed early in what proved to be a high-scoring first half. Wilkes got out to a 15-10 lead through the game's first five minutes. Despite trailing, Jackson Van Wagener led the way with five points through those first five minutes.
- Billy Anderson immediately made his presence felt in the paint upon entering the game. The Senior guard entered the game at the 13:52 mark in the first half and quickly scored five points in his first five minutes.
- 12 of Carson's career-high 20 points came in the first half, all coming on made three-point shots. He was supported by Van Wagener, who scored nine points himself heading into the break.
- The high scoring first half for Susquehanna included 8-of-12 from beyond the arc as they took a 49-40 lead at the end of the first half.
- Brandon Lavitt kept things steady for Susquehanna coming out of the break, scoring five of the River Hawks' nine points up to the 14:21 mark in the half.
- 15 quick points for Wilkes towards the middle of the second half brought what was once a double-digit lead for Susquehanna all the way down to just four at the 9:46 mark.
- The River Hawks, thanks to steady scoring from Mario Castro Sanchez and Carson, persisted over the game's final ten minutes. Castro Sanchez scored eight points over that stretch, including the game-clinching free throws with four seconds remaining.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Susquehanna had four players scoring double digit points: Carson (20), Castro Sanchez (16), Anderson (15), and Lavitt (11).
- Lavitt, alongside his 11 points scored thanks to a perfect 4-for-4 night shooting from the floor, led the team in both rebounds with five and assists with six. Audric Washington and Anderson each also grabbed five rebounds.
- Carson shot a team-high five three-pointers, converting on all five of them en route to a career night.
- The difference came from beyond the arc on a night that saw Susquehanna shoot 61.9% from three and just 35% for Wilkes. The River Hawks made 13-of-21 three-pointers compared to just 7-of-20 for Wilkes.
- Despite the late scare, Susquehanna did not trail for the entirety of the game. They held the lead for 37:33.
- The River Hawks got some major help from its bench Wednesday, outscoring Wilkes' bench 27-8 with seven players coming in off the bench.
UP NEXT FOR THE RIVER HAWKS
- Susquehanna will look to build on an incredible shooting performance in Selinsgrove on Saturday, when they host Lycoming College at 2 p.m.
- The River Hawks will stay at home for the following game—against Catholic University-- which is set to tip off at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 11.
