WILLIAMSPORT, PA -- The University of Scranton men's basketball team defeated Lycoming College 63-55 in Landmark Conference action on Wednesday night.
The Basics
- Final Score: Scranton - 63, Lycoming - 55
- Records: Scranton (12-12, 7-10 Landmark), Lycoming (3-21, 2-15 Landmark)
- With tonight's win and Elizabethtown's loss to Drew, the Royals have clinched a spot in the Landmark Conference playoffs. The playoffs with begin on Tuesday, Feb. 25 with Scranton's quarterfinal opponent and time yet to be determined.
How it Happened
- Scranton opened the game with back-to-back threes from freshman Sammy Tornabene and junior Jon Spatola.
- A fast break layup from senior Colin Merriman put the Royals up seven (10-3) at the 13:48 mark.
- The Warriors got within one (14-13) at 10:32 but Scranton responded with a 12-1 run to take a 26-14 lead with five minutes remaining in the opening half.
- A late jumper from senior Mason Thompson put the Royals up nine to close out the first half.
- Lycoming scored six unanswered to open up the second half and cut Scranton's lead to 33-30.
- The Warriors tied the game up at 35-35 at the 15:30 mark, but senior Cameron Khoza connected from deep on the next Scranton possession.
- With the game tied at 42-42, Thompson took over for the Royals, scoring six straight points to give his squad a 48-44 advantage with 7:36 remaining.
- Spatola hit a big three to put Scranton up six (53-47) at 5:48 but the Warriors fought back to tie the game up at 55-55 with just under three minutes remaining.
- Thompson drilled a clutch three off a feed from Spatola to put Scranton up 58-55 at 2:18.
- The Royals kept Lycoming off the board on the ensuing possession and got a bucket on the other end from sophomore Hamilton Roth to go up five.
- Spatola and Thompson hit free throws late in the game to complete an 8-0 run for Scranton in the final three minutes and secure the 63-55 victory.
Top Performers
- Thompson stepped up big for Scranton with a season-high 15 points.
- Spatola and Tornabene each added 12 points while Khoza scored nine.
Inside the Box Score
- Scranton shot 49.0% from the field and 46.2% from three-point range.
- The Royals held Lycoming to 33.3% from three.
Up Next
- The men's basketball team will travel to Elizabethtown College on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM.
