It took an extra five minutes, but The University of Scranton men's basketball team started its Landmark Conference schedule on the right foot, slipping past Moravian, 78-74, in overtime at the John Long Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Royals (3-2, 1-0 Landmark Conference) placed five players in double figures in scoring, led by 17 from sophomore guard Tommy Morgan (Greenlawn, N.Y./Chaminade). Senior forward Luke Hawk (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) had 15, senior forward Matt Swaback (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) and junior guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) had 13 each, and junior guard Tim Lavelle (Clarks Green, Pa./Scranton Preparatory) added 11 in the victory.
The Royals led by as many as 11 in the first half, but Moravian (3-4, 0-1 Landmark Conference) rallied for a one-point lead at the break. The Greyhounds stretched that lead to seven with 12:20 to play before the Royals climbed back to force overtime when Lavelle's running attempt to win it from 30 feet at the buzzer clanged off the rim and backboard.
In the overtime period, Moravian took a four-point lead with 2:56 to play on a pair of free throws by junior guard D.J. Strayhorn (Swiftwater, Pa./Pocono Mountain East), who led all scorers with 27 points in the contest. Scranton rallied back for a 74-72 lead on a pair of free throws by Hawk, and after Strayhorn's layup tied the score again, Royals freshman guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights-Blair Academy, N.J.) scored on a driving layup to put the Royals ahead for good with 18 ticks left on the clock.
The Scranton defense forced a traveling violation on Moravian's ensuing possession and Swaback hit a pair of free throws to secure the victory.
Swaback finished with five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal while junior forward Edmond O'Connell (Somers, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) had a game-high nine rebounds in 15 minutes of action off the bench. Morgan added six rebounds, three assists and two steals while Farrell had five rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists.
The Royals forced 23 turnovers, resulting in 27 points while also holding a 38-26 advantage in points in the paint. Scranton is now 56-27 all-time against Moravian, including six straight victories.
Moravian also received 14 points and seven rebounds from sophomore forward Cameron Cullen (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip) and 12 points, four rebounds and three steals from junior guard Garrett Johnson (Allentown, Pa./William Allen).
Following the game, The University of Scranton held its Wall of Fame ceremony, inducting seven new members into the prestigious club, which honors the top athletes in school history.
Scranton returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 7, when it hosts Kean University at 8 p.m. in the Long Center. The University of Scranton women's basketball team will host Messiah at 6 p.m.
--ROYALS--