SCRANTON, Pa.—If rebounding is a fundamental element of the game, The University of Scranton's 72-61 victory over Juniata College Friday night at the Long Center is a prime example of just how important it really is.
The Royals out-rebounded the Eagles, 40-21, paving the way for a 22-3 advantage in second-chance points. Senior guard Luke Hawk (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) was instrumental for Scranton on the boards, contributing 10 rebounds and 16 points for the second 'double-double' of his career.
Juniata fought hard, despite being largely outsized, and finally looked to have found the breakthrough with 6:25 left, cutting the Royals' lead to three points on back-to-back baskets by junior guard Dan Sekulski (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone Area). But senior guard Zach Ashworth (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) answered for the Royals, countering with an and-one basket that put the Royals up six. The Eagles came within four points on two occasions in the closing five minutes, but could come no closer.
The Royals' starting five accounted for 68 of their 72 points, with four players scoring 12 or more. Ashworth and Hawk led the way, scoring 18 and 16, respectively, while junior forward Matt Swaback (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) and freshman guard Tommy Morgan (Greenlawn, N.Y./Chaminade) added 12 and 13 points, respectively.
Juniata was led by Sekulski, who finished with a game-high 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting from the field. Sophomore guard Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona Area) added 13 points and freshman guard Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W. Va./ John Marshall) came off the bench to score 12.
The win was the ninth straight for the Royals, improving their record to 11-2 overall and 4-0 in the Landmark Conference. It is tied for the second-longest winning streak in Danzig's tenure as head coach.
The Royals will wrap-up their four-game home stand tomorrow when they host Landmark rivals Susquehanna University beginning at 2:00 pm in the Long Center.
Newspaper Box Score
SCRANTON 72, JUNIATA 61
JUNIATA (9-6/2-2 Landmark)
Dan Sekulski 9-14 1-2 21; Alex Raymond 4-11 1-2 13; Jeremy Hays 4-10 4-4 12; Bruce Knowles 2-4 0-1 4; Austin Ankney 2-6 0-0 4; Brian Scholly 2-4 0-0 4; Nate Higgins 1-2 1-2 3; Nick Pappas 0-0 0-0 0; Dimitri Ross 0-0 0-0 0; Pat Cassidy 0-0 0-0 0; Lucas Mellott 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-51 7-11 61.
SCRANTON (11-2/4-0 Landmark)
Zach Ashworth 4-12 8-8 18; Luke Hawk 7-15 2-2 16; Tommy Morgan 6-11 0-1 13; Matt Swaback 4-7 1-3 12; Travis Farrell 3-4 2-2 9; Andrew Wynne 1-1 2-2 4; Tim Lavelle 0-2 0-0 0; Edmond O'Connell 0-1 0-0 0; Dan Hilferty 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 15-18 72.
Juniata....................... 29 32 - 61
The University of Scranton.... 33 39 - 72
3-point goals--Juniata 6-16 (Alex Raymond 4-9; Dan Sekulski 2-2; Brian Scholly 0-2; Nate Higgins 0-1; Jeremy Hays 0-2), The University of Scranton 7-21 (Matt Swaback 3-5; Zach Ashworth 2-6; Tommy Morgan 1-4; Travis Farrell 1-1; Tim Lavelle 0-2; Luke Hawk 0-3). Fouled out--Juniata-None, The University of Scranton-None. Rebounds--Juniata 21 (Austin Ankney 4), The University of Scranton 40 (Luke Hawk 10). Assists--Juniata 18 (Alex Raymond 5), The University of Scranton 18 (Zach Ashworth 5). Total fouls—Juniata 20, The University of Scranton 14. Technical fouls--Juniata-None, The University of Scranton-None. A-250