Scranton, PA -- The University of Scranton men's basketball team (1-8) was defeated 68-53 by Goucher (2-5) on Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center.

The Royals kept it tight early as sophomore Luca Barratta (Richboro, Pa. / Perkiomen School) hit a three at the 15:27 mark to tie the game up at 8-8. The Gophers developed a lead in the late stages of the opening half as they had an 11-point advantage with less the five minutes remaining until halftime. A three-pointer from junior Cameron Khoza (State College, Pa. / Bishop Guilfoyle) cut the lead to six at the 3:56 mark. Goucher remained up six at the break with the score at 32-26. 

Scranton was able to get within five early in the second half as Khoza hit another three to bring the score to 36-31 with 18 minutes left on the clock. The Gophers followed up with a 16-2 run and held a 52-33 lead at the 13:50 mark. Goucher held a double-digit lead the remainder of the game and went on to win by a final score of 68-53. 

Khoza led the Royals in scoring with nine points on the day and went 3-5 from behind the arc. Freshman Nick Ruisi (Greenlawn, N.Y. / Harborfields High School/Cheshire Academy) added eight points and four boards for Scranton. Baratta and fellow sophomore Jon Spatola (Marlboro, N.J. / Marlboro) each scored seven points for the Royals.

Goucher won the battle on the boards 37-23. The Gophers shot 51.9% from the floor while the Royals shot 33.3%. 

The men's basketball team returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 17 for a road game at Arcadia at 3:00 PM.