Photo by Harry Heaps
By Maddy Lanning, Staff Writer
After beginning Landmark Conference play with an impressive 4-0 record, the Susquehanna men’s basketball team took on Scranton on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at home in Selinsgrove, Pa.
In the first half, the River Hawks got off to a fast start, led by senior captain Zachary Knecht who scored three-straight baskets. Sophomore guard Lukas Yurasits was soon to follow, putting up an additional five points to put Susquehanna ahead 14-6 within the first four minutes of the game.
In the coming minutes, the Royals outscored Susquehanna 20-11 to secure a one-point lead.
“Letting them get that big of a jump on us wasn’t good, but we definitely fought back,” Yurasits said.
Knecht had 15 of the River Hawks points and was the leading scorer at the break, being 6-of-11 from the field and 3-for-3 from the foul line.
Seven Royals turnovers turned into 13 River Hawk points and junior captain Matt LaCorte provided the team with a spark, as he connected on three of his five attempts from behind the three point line.
“You’ve got to score whenever there’s a chance and turnovers are always a big part of that,” LaCorte said.
Royals leading scorers Jackson Danzig and Logan Bailey each contributed 10 points with Danzig aiding his team to out rebound the River Hawks 16-15.
After the half, the River Hawks started slow by missing their first four shots. LaCorte then sunk his fourth three-pointer, giving the River Hawks a 48-42 lead with 16 minutes to go.
The Royals answered later in the half with an 11-3 run to come within one of the River Hawks. They then went on another run which led to Scranton’s Bailey scoring the team’s final jumper with 7.9 seconds left.
This was not enough though, as sophomore guard Danny Frauenheim stole the ball back and time expired, leaving the River Hawks to win 75-73.
Now, with a 5-0 record in the Landmark Conference, the River Hawks took on their next opponent, The Catholic University of America, on Saturday, Jan. 25 at home in Selinsgrove, Pa. Here, the River Hawks suffered their first conference loss for the season, losing 64-59.
Yurasits put up a few points early on to help the River Hawks jump ahead. This, however, did not last long as Catholic out scored the River Hawks 21-15 with 8 minutes to go in the first half.
Junior captain Bryce Butler pulled the River Hawks within one with seconds to go in the half but the Cardinals would continue to pull ahead later in the game.
During the second half, Catholic’s lead grew by 10 within the first two minutes. This left the score at 37-30 with LaCorte sinking a three-pointer to close the gap a bit.
The visiting team then pulled ahead by a 13 point margin in the next five minutes of the half. Butler and Yurasits combined for nine more points but the Cardinals answered and obtained a double-digit lead with a minute or so left.
Frauenheim sank a set of free throws, pulling the River Hawks within seven. This was followed by consecutive three-pointers by junior guard Mike Kempski to end the game.
Now 5-1 in the conference, the River Hawks are next set to take on Goucher on Saturday, Feb 1. in Baltimore, MD.