Article Courtesy of Sports Information Intern, Molly White
The University of Scranton men's basketball team defeated Juniata College 56-41 Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center.
The Basics
- Final Score: Scranton 56, Juniata 41
- Records: Scranton (3-2, 1-1 LC) Juniata (0-5, 0-2 LC)
How it Happened
- Junior Jon Spatola found senior Will McLoughlin underneath the basket to open the first half, 2-0.
- On the next possession, Spatola drove baseline and found senior Cameron Khoza in the left corner who drained a three-pointer.
- Halfway through the first with only a two-point lead, McLoughlin caught a pass from sophomore P.J. Kellachan and scored from three-point range.
- Senior Mason Thompson scored eight points in four minutes to spark Scranton's offense, increasing the lead to 25-17 with 2:22 left in the half.
- With 58 seconds remaining, sophomore Brendan Carr scored from deep, and McLoughlin blocked the Eagles' last attempt before the half, sending the Royals to the locker room with a five-point lead.
- On the first possession of the second half, McLoughlin found Spatola on a cut to the hoop for an easy two.
- Thompson found graduate student Tahaj Parland who connected from three-point range four minutes into the half.
- Thompson then drove to the short corner and nailed a pull-up jumper to put the Royals ahead 37-32.
- The Eagles took their first lead of the game with 7:14 left, but Spatola returned the basket on the next possession to regain the lead, 41-40.
- With a one point lead and 5:35 to go, freshman Will Marion drained a three-pointer off a pass from McLoughlin as shot clock expired.
- Next possession, McLoughlin finished through contact and earns the extra point, Scranton ahead 47-40 with just under 5 left.
- McLoughlin drove past his defender to the right side of the basket to increase the Royals lead, 49-41 with 3:41 remaining, then sealed the game with a three-pointer at the top of the arch.
Top Performers
- McLoughlin led with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
- Thompson added 14 points, three rebounds and three steals.
- Spatola dished out five assists and grabbed four rebounds.
Inside the Box Score
- Scranton's defensive pressure forced 18 turnovers from Juniata.
- Only 20 of the Royal's 56 points came from inside the paint.
- Scranton was 50% from three-point range in the first half and was 42.6% overall with nine made three-pointers.
Up Next
The Royals will head to Drew University on Wednesday, Dec. 4th to face the Rangers at 3:30 PM.
