The University of Scranton men's basketball team used a hot-shooting second half to erase a one-point halftime deficit on the way to defeating Merchant Marine Academy, 67-55, on Saturday afternoon in the John Long Center.

Freshman guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy,  N.J.) led the Royals with 16 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Junior guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) added 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals, and sophomore guard Tommy Morgan (Greenlawn, N.Y./Chaminade) had 13 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Scranton, which won its eighth straight, erased a 34-33 halftime deficit by shooting 56 percent (14-for-25) from the field after the break. The Royals (12-4, 5-0 Landmark Conference) also held the Mariners to just 33.3 percent (9-for-27) from the field in the final 20 minutes.

With the win, Scranton moves into first place alone in the Landmark Conference, a game ahead of Juniata, which lost at Catholic, 74-61.

The Royals earned a 39-27 advantage on the glass as senior forward Luke Hawk (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) had eight rebounds to go along with eight points. Scranton also held a 15-7 edge in points off turnovers, which helped offset Merchant Marine's 22-13 advantage in bench scoring.

Scranton is now 9-6 all-time against Merchant Marine Academy, including two straight dating back to last season's 74-71 overtime victory in the Landmark Conference semifinals.

The Mariners, who fell to 6-10 overall and 1-4 in the Landmark Conference, were led by sophomore forward Reed Buck (Lawrenceville, Ga./College Hill), who scored 14 points. Senior guard Kelvin Kerr (Oakdale, N.Y./St. Anthony's) added 10 points, three assists and two steals off the bench.

Scranton returns to action Friday, Jan. 20, when they travel to Selinsgrove, Pa. to face Susquehanna University at 5:30 p.m.

--ROYALS--