The University of Scranton men's basketball team used a strong defensive effort and a huge advantage at the free throw line to defeat Kean University, 57-47, on Wednesday evening in the Long Center.

Scranton (4-2, 1-0 Landmark Conference) held Kean to just 37.7 percent shooting (20-for-53) for the game while forcing 18 turnovers. The Royals also held an eye-opening 16-1 advantage at the free throw line while knocking off the Cougars, who dropped to 2-5 overall.

Scranton was led by senior forward Matt Swaback (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) and junior guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, Pa./Christian Brothers Academy), who each scored 15 points. Farrell added a team-high eight rebounds and four steals.

The Royals jumped to a double-digit lead midway through the first half, but the Cougars clawed back to cut the deficit to 29-25 at the break when sophomore guard Michael Burton (Irving, N.J./South Plainfield) canned a 3-pointer just before the half.

Scranton pushed its lead back to 10 early in the second half and Kean never threatened in the final 15 minutes thanks to a 14-for-19 performance at the line after the break by the Royals.

Senior forward Luke Hawk (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) added eight points, freshman forward Mark Bevacqua (Lennoxville, Pa./Holy Cross/Blair Academy, N.J.) had seven points and two blocks and junior guard Tim Lavelle (Clarks Green, Pa./Scranton Preparatory) dished out five assists in the victory.

Burton and junior guard Branly Cadet (Elizabeth, N.J./St. Patrick's) led Kean with 12 points each, and senior forward Leigh Keenan (Bethlehem, Pa./Northampton) added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Scranton is now 7-2 all-time against Kean, including victories in each of the last three seasons.

The Royals are back in action Saturday, Dec. 10, when they travel to Elizabethtown, Pa. to take on Elizabethtown at 5 p.m.

--ROYALS--