The University of Scranton men's basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting afternoon, suffering its first loss of the season, 67-54, to Merchant Marine Academy in Landmark Conference action on Sunday afternoon in the John Long Center.

Scranton (6-1, 1-1 Landmark) shot just 26.3 percent (15-for-57) from the field, including just 4-for-29 (13.8 percent) from 3-point range. It was the Royals' lowest shooting percentage of the season and the lowest in head coach Carl Danzig's 12-year tenure.

Sophomore guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) led Scranton with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The defeat snapped 14-game home winning streak as well as a 37-game home conference winning streak. The Royals' previous home conference loss came when they dropped a 74-70 decision to Merchant Marine Academy on Feb. 10, 2008.

Despite the shooting woes, Scranton trailed by just three at halftime, 25-22. When the Royals came out of the locker room with an 8-3 spurt behind 3-pointers from sophomore guard Michael Fee (Richboro, Pa./St. Joseph's Preparatory) and junior guard Michael Barr (North Wales, Pa./Lansdale Catholic), they found themselves with a 30-28 lead.

But, the Mariners answered with a 15-1 run over the next six minutes to take a 43-31 lead with 9:43 to play. Junior guard Reed Buck (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) scored seven points and senior guard Frankie Wiseley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) added six in the spurt. Scranton never got closer than nine the rest of the way as it shot 8-for-28 (28.6 percent) in the second half.

The Royals also received nine points and four rebounds from sophomore forward Jason Pierce (Scranton, Pa./Conestoga/Lackawanna College). Sophomore forward Brendan Boken (South Pasadena, Calif./Loyola) added seven points and Danzig also had four blocks, three assists and two steals.

The Mariners were led by Buck, who had 22 points, and freshman forward Andrew Williams (Lantana, Texas/John H. Guyer) had 15 points and 13 rebounds. Merchant Marine Academy held a 46-36 rebounding edge, including 16 offensive boards. The Mariners shot 41.4 percent from the field and made 15 of 22 free throws.

Scranton is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 15, when it hosts nearby Keystone College at 7 p.m. in the Long Center. 

--ROYALS--