ASHLAND, VA (March 3, 2023) -- After trailing by 10 points with less than 10 minutes remaining in regualtion, The University of Scranton men's basketball team made a huge surge to complete a 65-64 comeback win over NC Wesleyan in the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament. 

With the win the Royals advance to the second round where they'll face the winner of host #1 Randolph Macon vs. Wilson. 

This marks Scranton and head coach Carl Danzig's first trip to the round of 32 since the 2016-17 season. 

Graduate student Jackson Danzig* (Clarks Green, Pa. / Abington Heights) came up clutch for Scranton with a free-throw in the final 15 seconds to secure a one-point lead for his squad. Sophomore Will McLoughlin (Glen Rock, N.J. / Glen Rock) then used his size and athleticism to block a last second layup attempt from the Bishops and push Scranton into the second round.

NC Wesleyan took an early 6-0 lead to start the game, but a pair of buckets from McLoughlin brought the Royals within two at the 17:07 mark. Scranton took it's first lead of the game with just over 11 minutes remaining as Danzig hit a three to give the Royals a 12-10 advantage.

The Bishops responded with a 15-0 run in the middle stages of the first half, as they held a 25-12 lead with just over six minutes remaining. Scranton closed out the opening half strong, cutting NC Wesleyan's lead to 35-29 at the break.

To start the second half, the Bishops connected on an early jumper as they increased their lead to eight. The Royals continued to fight back but found themselves trailing NC Wesleyan by 10 points at the 9:42 mark forcing Scranton to take a timeout. The Royals then went on a six point stretch to cut the lead to just four with little of eight minute remaining. 

Scranton took its first lead of the second half with just under three minutes left on the clock as McLoughlin got into the paint for an easy layup to give the Royals a 60-59 edge. After NC Wesleyan tied the game back up at 62-62, freshman EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill East) came up big for Scranton with a timely layup to give his squad a two point at the 1:01 mark. 

The Bishops answered quick with a jumper from Brayden Dixon to tie the game back up at 64 all. On the ensuing possession, Danzig made an aggressive move to the basket and drew a foul which sent him to the line for two shots. He missed the first but connected on the second to give the Royals a one point lead with 12 seconds on the clock. NC Wesleyan rushed down the court for a last second bucket but missed two shots and then had their third effort stuffed by McLoughlin as the Royals went on to win, 65-64.

Danzig and McLoughlin each finished with a game-high 23 to pace Scranton in the comeback victory. McLoughlin was an impressive 11-15 from the field and led the Royals in rebounds with eight on the day. Scranton was a solid 51% from the field and 46.2% from three in the victory. 

Tomorrow's second round game is scheduled to tipoff at 7:00 PM. Click here to purchase tickets for tomorrow's game and use the passcode QZ36BG.

--ROYALS--