SELINSGROVE, Pa. (January 7, 2012) – A second half run by Susquehanna (7-5, 1-1 Landmark) was too much to overcome as Drew (2-11, 0-2 Landmark) fell, 83-77 at O.W. Houts Gymnasium this evening. Senior Asmar Capers (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) returned to the lineup and led Ranger scorers with 22 points.
The Rangers had four players in double figures including John Ford (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) and Terrell Brown (Camden, N.J./Woodrow Wilson) who each had 12 points. Dara Mc Keon (Dunboyne, Ireland/St. Peter's College) chipped in 10 points and had a team-high, seven assists in the loss.
Four of the five starters for the Crusaders scored 10 or more points including double-doubles from J.T. Wilson and Harley Sellinger. Spenser Spencer led all scorers with 27 points including a 9-for-9 effort from the free throw line.
The Crusaders took a commanding 19-point lead with just under four minutes to play in the first half thanks to a 14-0 run beginning at the seven minute mark . The Rangers responded in the closing minutes to work the lead down to 12 at halftime.
Drew carried the momentum into the opening minutes of the second half, coming as close as eight points thanks to a layup by Brown with 17:26 to play. Brown converted another two point basket in the paint a possession later that would be the last field goal for the Rangers over the next four minutes of action. The scoring drought helped the Crusaders keep the lead in double digits for the majority of the second frame. Both teams ran into foul trouble late in the game in which Susquehanna was solid from the charity stripe, making 17 of their 22 free throw attempts in the second half.
The Rangers will return to action tomorrow as they take on the Eagles of Juniata at 2:00 p.m. in Huntingdon, Pa.