Scranton Uses Strong Second Half To Pull Away From Elizabethtown, 68-55

Game Leaders

Scranton
Pts: John Vitkus - 16
Reb: John Vitkus - 9
Ast: Kyle DeVerna - 5
Elizabethtown
Pts: Josh Eden - 18
Reb: Josh Eden - 7
Ast: Michael Pastore - 4

Team Stats

Scranton
Elizabethtown

Field Goals

(23-42)
(22-54)

Field Goal %

54.8%
40.7%

Rebounds

29
28

Assists

11
11

Turnovers

14
14

Pts off Turnovers

17
11

2nd Chance Pts

4
5

Pts in the Paint

30
30

Fastbreak Pts

4
2

Bench Pts

16
16
full stats
More news about: Scranton
Jan 07, 2017

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – The University of Scranton men's basketball team shot 62.5 percent from the field in the second half to turn a three-point lead into a double-digit victory, 68-55, at Elizabethtown in a Landmark Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

The Royals (10-3, 2-0 Landmark) still led by three with 6:27 to play, but went on a 17-5 run over the next 5:49 to put the game away. They finished the second half 15-for-24 from the field, including 4-for-9 (44.4 percent) from 3-point range, and hit eight of 11 from the free throw line.

Senior center John Vitkus (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) had 16 points and nine rebounds in 38 minutes of action to lead the way. Junior guard Ethan Danzig (Clarks Green, Pa./Abington Heights) and Kevin Doolan (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) scored 14 points each, with Doolan scoring all 14 of his in the second half.

The decisive run late in the game was sparked by a pair of free throws from Danzig and capped by a 3-pointer from the sharp-shooting guard. In between, Doolan scored 10 points and Vitkus and freshman guard Kyle DeVerna (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) added two each.

Scranton finished the afternoon hitting 54.8 percent (23-for-42) from the field, including 7 of 17 (41.2 percent) from 3-point range, and 15-for-20 (75 percent) from the free throw line. Danzig hit a trio of 3-pointers and junior guard Chris McCullough (Harborfields, N.Y./Chaminade) added a pair. The Royals also finished with a 17-11 edge in points off turnovers, as each team turned the ball over 14 times.

DeVerna finished the afternoon with eight points and a team-high five assists, and McCullough had six points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals.

Elizabethtown (3-9, 0-2 Landmark) shot 40.7 percent (22-for-54) from the field, including 6-for-18 (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc. The Blue Jays were also just five of 11 from the free throw line.

The Royals will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 11, when they travel to Selinsgrove, Pa. to take on #14 Susquehanna in a Landmark Conference game at 7 p.m.

--ROYALS--