The University of Scranton men's basketball team used a strong second-half performance on defense and another big game from senior forward Brendan Boken (South Pasadena, Calif./Loyola) to knock off Merchant Marine Academy, 68-56, on Sunday afternoon in the Long Center.

The Royals (6-2, 1-1 Landmark) overcame a one-point halftime deficit by holding Merchant Marine Academy (4-5, 1-3 Landmark) to 27.6 percent from the field in the second half. On the offensive end, Boken was dominant, finishing with 29 points to go along with 14 rebounds, his second straight double-double and third of the season.

Sophomore guard Kevin Doolan (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) added 18 points, six assists and five rebounds as the Scranton evened its Landmark Conference record and heads into a 15-day layoff on a high note. The Royals will not play again until Dec. 29 when they face Stevenson in the Captains Shootout at Christopher Newport.

The Royals trailed 31-30 at halftime after the Mariners canned seven of 12 3-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes while holding Scranton to just 2-for-14 from beyond the arc. But Scranton turned up the defensive effort, leading to a 23-6 run to start the second half, including 14 straight points to close the run that ended with Scranton ahead, 53-37, with 9:10 remaining. Boken had 12 points during the decisive spurt, Doolan had six and junior forward John Vitkus (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) had the other five.

Vitkus ended the day with eight points, seven rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal in 24 minutes.

Scranton shot 22-for-57 (38.6 percent) for the game, including 4-for-22 from 3-point range. The Royals made 20 of 26 free throws, including 8-for-10 by Boken. They won the rebounding battle, 40-32, as sophomore guard Ethan Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights) added six boards. They also committed 15 turnovers while forcing 20 by the Mariners, leading to 16 points for Scranton. The Royals also held a 34-18 edge in points in the paint.

Merchant Marine Academy finished the day 20-for-56 (35.7 percent) from the field, including 8-for-20 from 3-point range. The Mariners were just 1-for-8 from beyond the arc in the second half. They also made eight of nine free throw attempts.

The Royals will take on Stevenson in the Captains Shootout on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 5:30 p.m. in Newport News, Va. The consolation and championship games the following day are scheduled for 4 and 6 p.m.

--ROYALS--