PITTSBURGH, PA – Neal McKown scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds as La Roche men's basketball (9-5, 5-2) beat Franciscan University (2-10, 1-6) 79-68 in AMCC Conference action on Wednesday night.

The Redhawks closed the first half on a 15-1 run. Lionel Perkins capped off a great half with a steal and layup at the buzzer to put the Redhawks up 46-28. Neal McKown entered intermission with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Perkins scored 10 points and Andre Flanigan added 6 assists. La Roche shot 61% from the floor and outrebounded Franciscan 19-10.

La Roche continued to crash the boards and play tough team defense in the second half and cruised to the eleven point win.

McKown finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Perkins scored 15 points including 3 three-pointers and Flanigan added 10 points and 7 assists. Evan Bonnaure netted 10 points and Zaire Redding and Torin Smith scored 6 points each.

The Redhawks outrebounded Franciscan 43-31 including 17-12 on the offensive boards. They also shot 74% from the free throw line.

La Roche men's basketball will host Penn State Behrend on Saturday in a big AMCC Conference game. Tip-off is 2PM.