Sophomore guard Tommy Morgan (Greenlawn, N.Y./Chaminade) made big plays at the end of regulation and both overtime periods as The University of Scranton men's basketball team pulled out a heart-stopping 80-76 victory in double overtime against Catholic University on Saturday afternoon in the John J. Long Center.
Morgan's basket with five seconds left in regulation forced overtime, his layup with 16 seconds left in the first overtime helped Scranton overcome a one-point deficit, and he had an assist and two free throws late in the second overtime to give the Royals the game's final four points and the win.
The victory improved the Royals to 10-4 overall and 3-0 in the Landmark Conference, good for first place.
Morgan finished with a team-high 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field. Senior forward Luke Hawk (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) added 18 points and five rebounds, freshman guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) had 17 points, nine rebounds four assists, three steals and two blocks, and senior center Nick Jaskula (Jenkintown, Pa./Jenkintown) had 11 points and six rebounds.
Scranton held just one lead in regulation, a 37-35 advantage with 17:27 to play in the second half. The Royals led for a good portion of the first overtime, but Catholic junior forward Chris Kearney (Centreville, Va./Westfield) hit one of two free throws with three seconds remaining to force the second overtime.
In the second extra stanza, Morgan opened the scoring with a 3-pointer with 3:12 to play. Catholic fought back to tie on a jumper by junior guard Nate Koenig (Chevy Chase, Md./Bethesda-Chevy Chase) with 1:11 remaining.
On Scranton's next possession, Morgan found Danzig underneath for a layup and a 78-76 lead with 27 seconds remaining. After Catholic freshman guard Steve Limberiou (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) missed a 3-pointer, Morgan grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He sank both free throws for the final margin.
The victory gives Scranton a 32-16 lead in the all-time series against Catholic, including eight straight victories. The Royals are also 8-1 in regular-season Landmark Conference action against the Cardinals.
Catholic, which lost its third straight to fall to 11-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference, was led by Koenig and Limberiou, who scored 20 points each. Senior forward Darrell Carroll (Perth Amboy, N.J./St. Joseph) added 14 and Kearney had 10.
The Royals will return to action Friday, Jan. 13, when they host Drew University in the Long Center at 5:30 p.m.
--ROYALS--