By Brandon Farren, Staff Writer
Despite having two players score over 20 points, the Susquehanna men’s basketball team dropped their most recent game against Misericordia 91–87 on Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Selinsgrove. The River Hawks fought valiantly against stout Cougar team but came up just short in the end of overtime.
Senior guard Seth Callahan led the team with 26 points on the day and junior forward Zach Knecht was right behind him with 21 while also adding 11 rebounds for a double-double.
The Cougars came out hot and ran up a 14–4 lead on the River Hawks early in the first quarter. A flurry of three pointers from sophomore guard Matt Lacorte and freshman guard/forward Jaden Martin brought the River Hawks back within four points of the lead.
The rest of the first half continued with a series of runs by both teams. Misericordia stretched their lead to eight points before Susquehanna reeled them back to within three. Heading into the half, the score was 38–35 in favor of the Cougars.
The second half started off hot for the River Hawks with their senior back court taking control of the game. Senior guards Callahan and Tyler Hoagland found their rhythm early in the second half and gave Susquehanna their biggest lead of the game so far. After a personal 9–0 run by Callahan, the River Hawks led by seven.
Coach Frank Marcinek was impressed with the play of the team’s upperclassmen, complimenting their ability to make tough shots when needed.
After a Callahan three pointer, Susquehanna found themselves up 10 points on Misericordia.
Susquehanna’s success would continue with junior forward Zach Knecht excelling on both ends of the floor and scoring off of an array of different post moves.
Misericordia did not go down lightly however, the Cougars stormed back to eventually tie things up at 77 on a three-pointer with eight seconds left in regulation.
Hoagland made a full-court dash for the rim but his last second layup barely rolled off the rim and sent the game into overtime.
In overtime, the teams continued to trade blows, with neither team opening up a convincing lead.
With seconds to go and down 89-87, LaCorte attempted to perfectly miss a free throw and allow his guys a chance at a put back but narrowly missed his mark, resulting in a Misericordia possession.
The River Hawks had two other players in double figures alongside Knecht and Callahan. Hoagland added 18 points on 7–12 shooting. LaCorte finished with 12 points on 4–12 shooting.
