GENEVA, N.Y. – The hot shooting that led The University of Scranton men's basketball to five straight victories to open the season cooled off on Wednesday night as the Royals suffered their first loss of the season, 70-58, at Hobart.

The Royals (5-1) entered the game shooting 54.1 percent from the field for the season, but hit just 20 of 61 attempts (32.8 percent) on Wednesday night. They were just 5-for-25 from 3-point range, but stayed close in the second half by finishing the game 13-for-17 from the free throw line.

Junior forward Drew Schankweiler (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) set career highs with 18 points and 16 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end, in the loss. Freshman guard Kyle DeVerna (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three steals for the Royals.

Scranton led at halftime, 35-31, behind nine points and nine rebounds from Schankweiler. The Royals built an 11-point lead at one point in the half thanks to a 17-6 run, but Hobart (2-2) was able to inch closer before the break, then held Scranton to 8-for-29 (27.6 percent) from the floor in the second half.

The Royals forced 16 turnovers by Hobart, but the Statesmen offset those miscues by hitting nine of 18 3-point attempts.

Scranton will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 3, when they open Landmark Conference play by hosting Juniata at 4 p.m. in the Long Center.

--ROYALS--