SCRANTON, PA -- Senior
Will McLoughlin scored a career-high 28 points to lead The University of Scranton men's basketball team to a big win against Susquehanna University in Landmark Conference action at the John Long Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
- Final Score: Scranton - 75, Susquehanna - 56
- Records: Scranton (11-12, 6-10 LC), Susquehanna (13-10, 10-6 LC)
- Landmark Standings: The Royals move up to the six spot and will look to clinch a playoff birth on Wednesday, needing a win at Lycoming and an Elizabethtown loss to top seeded Drew.
How it Happened
- Scranton opened the game on a 7-4 run, including a three-pointer from junior Jon Spatola at the 16:50 mark.
- Senior Colin Merriman scored his second basket of the game at the 10:56 mark, as the Royals led 13-10.
- Freshman Sammy Tornabene and senior Mason Thompson knocked down consecutive buckets to put Scranton up five with eight minutes left in the opening half.
- A layup from freshman Max Lebisky at the 3:08 mark put Scranton up by nine, 25-16.
- Graduate student Tahaj Parland hit a late three off an assist from sophomore Hamilton Roth to close out the first half and give Scranton a 30-20 advantage.
- The Royals came out strong to start the second half, going on an 11-2 run that featured nine points from McLoughlin.
- Parland drilled a three at the 11:19 mark to put Scranton up by 21.
- The River Hawks cut Scranton's lead to 11 at the five minute mark, but McLoughlin and the Royals responded with a 6-1 run to regain a 16 point advantage.
- McLoughlin threw down a one-hand slam at the 1:34 mark which sparked an 8-2 run to close out the game with Scranton winning by a final score of 75-56.
Top Performers
- Despite battling through early foul trouble, McLoughlin dropped a game-high 28 points on 11-15 from the field while adding seven rebounds and five assists.
- Spatola scored 11, grabbed six rebounds and recorded a game-high six steals.
- Tornabene added 10 points and three boards.
Inside the Box Score
- Scranton held the River Hawks to just 38.3% from the field.
- The Royals forced 18 turnovers from Susquehanna.
- Scranton scored 40 points in the paint compared to just 20 for the River Hawks.
Up Next
The men's basketball team will travel to Lycoming College on Wednesday, Feb. 19 with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM.
