The University of Scranton men's basketball team used a strong defensive effort and a late push to pull away from Misericordia for a 69-54 victory on Tuesday night in the John Long Center.

Scranton (3-0) got a game-high 17 points from junior guard Ross Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights/Blair Academy, N.J.) and a career-high 10 points from junior guard Justin Klingman (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) in the victory.

The Royals held Misericordia (2-1) to just 31 percent (18-for-58) from the field, including just two of 14 (14.3 percent) from 3-point range. Scranton took advantage of the Cougars' poor shooting by snagging a 43-29 rebounding advantage, led by a career-high 15 boards from sophomore forward Brendan Boken (Pasadena, Calif./Loyola).

Scranton took control early, jumping out to an 11-4 lead in the opening six minutes behind five points from Danzig. The Royals extended the lead to double digits with a little more than 11 minutes left in the half before the Cougars rallied within five at halftime, 32-27. Danzig finished the first half with 12 points while Boken had eight rebounds and four points.

The Royals' lead was just four with 10:16 left in the game before they went on a 10-3 run to push the lead to 11 at 53-42 with 6:50 left. Freshman guard Sean Cummings (Millstone Township, N.J./St. Peter's Preparatory) had four points during the run.

The Cougars cut the lead to eight at 59-51 with four minutes to play, but got no closer as Scranton finished the game on another 10-3 run, this one sparked by a 3-pointer from Klingman.

Boken finished with eight points to go along with his 15 rebounds, senior guard Michael Barr (North Wales, N.J./Lansdale Catholic) had eight points, six rebounds and two steals, senior guard Tommy Morgan (Greenlawn, N.Y./Chaminade) had six points, nine reounds, five assists and a block.

Scranton shot 50 percent (24-for-48) from the field and made five of 18 (27.8 percent) from 3-point range. The Royals also made 16 of 25 (64 percent) from the free throw line.

Junior forward Steve Ware (Lorton, Va./South County) led Misericordia with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Cougars committed just nine turnovers while forcing 16 miscues by the Royals.

Scranton returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when they travel to Radnor, Pa. to take on Cabrini at 8 p.m.

--ROYALS--