KING'S POINT, N.Y. – Junior guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) scored a game-high 23 points and freshman guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) added 22 as The University of Scranton men's basketball team continued its strong play in close games, leading from the start and fending off a late rally by Merchant Marine Academy for a 76-71 victory at O'Hara Hall on Friday night.

The victory, coupled with Moravian's loss at Drew, guarantees the Royals (17-6, 10-2 Landmark Conference) no worse than second place in the conference, securing at least one home game in the conference playoffs.

Farrell scored a pair of key buckets after Merchant Marine pulled within five with just under three minutes to play. The Mariners got as close as four in the closing moments, but Scranton held on to win its fifth straight.

Sophomore guard Tommy Morgan (Greenlawn, N.Y./Chaminade) added 12 points for Scranton, which won for just the second time in their last seven tries at Merchant Marine Academy.

Scranton scored the first six points of the game and maintained that lead at halftime, 34-28, as Danzig scored 14 points and Farrell had 10.

The Mariners (10-13, 5-7 Landmark) were led by 20 points each from sophomore forwards Nick Sergio (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) and Reed Buck (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill). Junior guard Frankie Wisely (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) added 10 for Merchant Marine, which is two games out of a playoff spot with two remaining.

Scranton needs only a victory in one of its last two games or a Juniata loss in one of its last two games to secure first place and the top seed in the upcoming Landmark Conference playoffs. The Royals will visit Drew on Saturday, followed by a trip to Moravian on Saturday, Feb. 18. Juniata hosts Goucher on Saturday and then travels to Susquehanna on Saturday, Feb. 18, to close out the season.

The Landmark Conference playoffs begin Wednesday, Feb. 22, with the Royals hosting a semifinal against an opponent yet to be determined.

Scranton returns to action Saturday when they travel to Madison, N.J. to take on Drew University at 4 p.m.

--ROYALS--