Article Courtesy of Athletic Communications Intern, Cammi Quirk

SCRANTON, Pa. – Senior guard Jon Spatola recorded 1,000 career points, finishing with 17 points and 3 steals, as The University of Scranton men's basketball team earned a second half comeback victory, 84-80, in a thrilling Landmark Conference contest against Moravian University Wednesday night at the John Long Center.

The Basics

• Final Score: Scranton 84, Moravian 80
• Record: Scranton (17–3, 10–3 Landmark), Moravian (13-7, 7-6 Landmark)
• Landmark Conference Standings

How It Happened

• Scranton stayed competitive early behind strong ball movement and three pointers from Nick Ruisi and Will Marion. 
• A late put-back by Ruisi closed down the first half as the Greyhounds held a 48-32 advantage. Defensive energy kept the Royals in reach, with 27 rebounds and 14 points off turnovers. 
• The Royals opened the second half with energy as Ben Robinson and Brendan Carr sparked the offense, with Carr knocking down multiple deep threes to keep Scranton in the game.
• P.J. Kellachan made an impact on both ends of the court, scoring key buckets, finishing an and-one, grabbing offensive rebounds, and coming up with a momentum shifting block.
• Jon Spatola delivered a milestone moment, draining a corner three for his 1,000^th career point, then a fastbreak layup to help generate the offense throughout the second half. 
• Execution late in the game fueled the comeback as Ruisi tied the game at 75 with a deep three, followed by a corner three and clutch jumper in the paint by Marion to give Scranton the lead in the final minutes. 
• Carr and Ruisi sealed the deal at the free-throw line, as Scranton closed out the game 84-80. 

Inside the Box Score

• FG%: Scranton 51.7% | Moravian 46.3%
• FT: Scranton 13–16 | Moravian 21-28
• 3PT: Scranton 50% | Moravian 30%
• Points in Paint: Scranton 32 | Moravian 26 

Top Performers

• Jon Spatola: 17 points, 4 assists, 3 steals (49th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points)
• Brendan Carr: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3-5 3PT
• Will Marion: 14 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds
• Nick Ruisi: 13 points, 4, rebounds, 2 blocks
• Ben Robinson: 13 points, 5 rebounds
• P.J. Kellachan: 10 points

Up Next

• Scranton returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 7, hosting Elizabethtown College at the John Long Center for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off.