Men's Basketball News

University of Scranton 100, Delaware Valley 97

DOYLESTOWN (PA) -In the highest scoring game of the season for both teams, the University of Scranton outlasted host Delaware Valley College, 100-97, in a Freedom Conference game.

Both teams ended their seasons on Saturday as the Royals improved to 5-20 overall and 3-11 in conference action, while the Aggies fell to 4-20, 3-11.

Scranton shot 53.3 percent from the field and Delaware Valley connected on exactly 50 percent of its attempts. The two squads also combined for 21 baskets from 3-pont land.

The Royals trailed for just eight seconds in the game and that was at 4-3 in the early moments. They led by as many as 15 in the first half, but Delaware Valley came back and pulled to within six, 46-40, at the intermission.

Scranton used a 9-0 run midway through the second half to build another 15-point lead, 77-62, with 7:33 to go. However, the Aggie came back and an 11-2 spurt later in the half made it am 80-76 ballgame with 4:59 remaining. Freshman Mike Thornton had seven of the 11 points in that span.

Back-to-back layups by Isaiah Pinckney and Sean Smith had Delaware Valley within one, 91-90, with 1:14 to go. Scranton scored four of the next five points before a Mike Zupa 3-pointer for Delaware Valley made it 95-94 with 37 seconds left.

Scranton's Sean Clark was sent to the foul line and he missed both free throws, but Nick Alfier grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He sank both attempts for a three-point advantage. Smith was fouled at the other end and he hit one of two shots for a 97-95 Delaware Valley deficit with 15.3 seconds to go.

Less than a second later, Michael Riccobono was fouled for the Royals. He made just one of two chances for a three-point lead. Isaiah Pinckney drove downcourt and hit a layup for the Aggies with 3.7 seconds remaining to make it a one-point contest. However, Delaware Valley called a timeout and it had none so the team was assessed a technical foul. Riccobono swished both shots for the 100-97 final.

The loss spoiled a brilliant effort by Thornton as he hit 12 of 22 shots from the field (3-for-8 from 3-point land) and finished with a career-high 34 points. The rookie also had eight rebounds, four assists and four steals before fouling out down the stretch.

Pinckney finished with 20 points and Zupa added 18. Fellow freshman Javon Alston came off the bench to score 14 points and dish out five assists.

Brian O'Donnell paced Scranton with 32 points on 10-for-17 shooting. He also added 12 rebounds and four assists. Alfier, Clark and Matthew Snyder netted 12 points apiece while Mike McGowan came off the bench to score 11 points.