Article Courtesy of Sports Information Intern, Molly White

SCRANTON, PA -- The University of Scranton men's basketball team captured the Hilton Scranton Invitational Championship by defeating Marywood University 66-52 Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center.

The Basics

• Final Score: Scranton 66, Marywood 52
• Records: Scranton 2-0, Marywood 1-2

How it Happened

• Junior Jon Spatola made a diving steal at 12:27 that was caught by senior Will McLoughlin who found classmate Mason Thompson down court for a fast break layup that put the Royals up 15-10.
• McLoughlin drained a three-pointer with 39 seconds left in the first half to send the Royals to the locker room with a 36-28 lead. 
• Scranton and Marywood traded baskets in the beginning of the second half, until senior Tahaj Parland scored back-to-back jumpers to give the Royals a 44-35 lead with 11:28 remaining. 
• The Pacers got within seven with 7:58 remaining, but Thompson delivered two timely baskets, including a converted and-one and three-pointer, to spark the momentum for Scranton.
• McLoughlin added a dunk with 2:41 left, and Spatola iced the game with two made free throws. 

Top Performers

• McLoughlin finished with a double-double, leading all in both scoring with 21 and rebounding with 10. The forward was named tournament MVP for his performance, as well as his 16-point contribution in last night's win against Medgar Evers.
• Spatola added 14 points, four steals and two assists to earn All-Tournament honors.
• Freshman Max Lebisky scored 10 points and recorded three assists for the Royals. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Royals scored 13 points off of Pacer turnovers.
• Scranton was 46.2% from three-point range, while Marywood was 28.6%.
• Scranton also dominated the foul line, making 10 of 13 while the Pacers only took three attempts and made two.  

Up Next
The Royals will head to Stevens on Saturday Nov. 16 with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 PM.