By Rachael Cataldo, Asst. Sports Editor
Sophomore Zach Knecht led the Susquehanna men’s basketball team with 15 points on Saturday, Jan. 27 during a tough 88–72 Landmark Conference loss at home against the Moravian College Greyhounds.
The River Hawks (6–12, 3–5) had a nine-point lead in the first half but Moravian (13– 6, 5–3) was able to trim the lead to 41-40 at the conclusion of the first half.
Both teams exchanged baskets early on in the second half of the game, but Moravian went on a 9–2 run to take the lead. The Greyhounds later secured their lead by taking an 11-point edge, making the score 60–49 with a little over 12 minutes to go. Susquehanna wasn’t able to catch up despite efforts by many River Hawks.
Moravian maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the game, capturing the 88– 72 conference victory. This was Moravian’s first win in Selinsgrove since 2011.
Knecht went 6-10 from the field. Junior Seth Callahan added 14 points, going 5-9 for the game that day.
Sophomore Jacob Walsh led the River Hawks with 11 rebounds while freshman Bryce Butler had seven assists.
Junior point guard Tyler Hoagland scored a careerhigh 21 points on Wednesday night as the River Hawks fell to Juniata College 75–66 in a Landmark Conference game at Memorial Gym in Huntingdon.
The Eagles (16–3, 5–3) secured the 10–4 lead early on in the first half. A 3-point jump shot by freshman Matt LaCorte allowed the River Hawks to catch up 10–9 just five minutes into the game.
The Eagles bounced back quickly and went on a 10-2 run to take a 20–11 lead.
The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the period and Juniata held on to the lead with a score of 41–30 going into halftime.
Freshman Bryce Butler started off the half with a 3-pointer to help the River Hawks rally.
A pair of free throws by Butler helped Susquehanna cut the lead to a 3-point difference leaving the score 64–61 with a little less than two minutes to go in the game.
Juniata responded with a 3-pointer and made their eight final free throws to secure the win for the night.
Hoagland led the River Hawks going 8-10 from the floor. Hoagland also led Susquehanna with five assists.
LaCorte added 17 points going 5-6 from the field. Butler chipped in 10 points.
Hoagland and Knecht each added three rebounds for the River Hawks.
Hoagland was one of the feature guests on the Hoopsville webcast talkshow on Thursday, Feb. 1 along with head coach Frank Marcinek.
The two discussed the basketball team as well as the Tie Up Throat Cancer fundraising and awareness started by Hoagland.
The men’s basketball program will be selling neck ties and all profits are being donated to the American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer program.
Hoagland and the rest of the River Hawks were inspired by Marcinek’s strength, determination, and courage as he endured treatments for his fight against throat cancer.
The Susquehanna River Hawks return to action tomorrow, Saturday Feb. 3 at Goucher College. Game time is 2 p.m.
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