Senior forwards Matt Swaback (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) and Luke Hawk (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) tipped off their final regular season home weekend in the John Long Center by making several key plays as The University of Scranton men's basketball team defeated Juniata, 59-53, on Friday evening.

Swaback scored a team-high 15 points on five 3-pointers and Hawk added 12 points, including a game-clinching three-point play in the final minute as Scranton kept its hold on first place in the Landmark Conference. The Royals improved to 15-6 and 8-2 in the conference, one game ahead of Moravian.

The Royals led by 10, 56-46, with 5:25 to play, but Juniata went on a 7-0 run to close the deficit to three with 1:31 remaining. After a Scranton turnover, the Royals' defense came up with a big stop and after a pair of Juniata fouls, junior guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) found Hawk alone under the basket for a layup and a foul. Hawk converted the free throw for the final margin.

Freshman guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) added 10 points and six rebounds. Farrell, who moved past the 800-point plateau for his career, finished with eight points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Prior to the game, Hawk was honored with the 2012 Les Dickman Award, presented annually to the Royals' most valuable player.

Scranton sizzled from the field in the second half, connecting on 13 of 22 (59.1) percent from the field. They shot 23-for-46 (50 percent) for the game. The Royals also held a 31-24 rebounding advantage.

With the victory, the Royals avenged an 82-59 road loss to the Eagles just 13 days ago and dropped Juniata into a tie for third place with Catholic and Susquehanna. The top four teams reach the Landmark Conference playoffs.

Juniata (14-7, 6-4 Landmark Conference) was led by a game-high 16 from senior guard Dan Sekulski (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone Area). Junior guard Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona) and sophomore guard Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W.V./John Marshall) had 14 apiece.

Scranton returns to action on Saturday for Senior Day when the Royals host Susquehanna at 4 p.m. in the Long Center. Seniors Swaback, Hawk, Dan Hilferty (Ardmore, Pa./Episcopal Academy), Nick Jaskula (Jenkintown, Pa./Jenkintown) and Edmond O'Connell (Somers, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) will be honored before tip-off.

--ROYALS--