The Rock traveled to Erie, Pa. looking to avenge their 95-90 overtime loss earlier this season to the number seven team in the nation. The loss to the Gannon University Golden Knights snapped a five-game winning streak for SRU.
The Rock entered the night with a 11-11 record overall and 9-7 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
SRU began the night fourth in the PSAC West, in position to host a playoff game. The fifth placed team must play away come playoffs.
The Golden Knights came into the night on a 10-game winning streak propelling them to an impressive 21-2 record overall and 15-2 record in the PSAC.
SRU jumped out to an early nine-point lead in the first 2 minutes of the game courtesy of six quick points from Jomo Goings, and a fast break basket by Maceo Austin. The Rock was able to extend their lead to 13 as an Ike Herster three-pointer and Luke Howes two-point jumper made the score 22-10.
At the halfway mark of the first half, The White and Green widened their lead to an 18-point margin when Goings buried another three-pointer to make it 33-15.
Unfortunately for The Rock, the Golden Knights would go on a 39-16 run to end the half. Gannon’s full-court press forced 14 SRU turnovers in the first half, which was the main catalyst for the Golden’s Knight first-half comeback.
The two teams would trade buckets to start the second half until Sheick Samoura tied the game at 73 for SRU. Neither team could muster more than a six-point lead in the closing stages, which Gannon held with five minutes remaining.
The Rock cut their deficit to one point with 30 seconds remaining. After two Golden Knights’ free throws, SRU had one final chance to tie the game.
In the end, they never got a shot off. Gannon’s Lyle Tipton came up with a game-sealing steal with six seconds remaining.
Goings lead all scorers with 25 points, followed by Samoura, Austin and Howes with 17, 15 and 14 points respectively. Austin also grabbed 10 rebounds, which gave him his third double-double of the season.
Slippery Rock fell to 11-12 overall with a 9-8 record in the conference play. While Gannon improved their record to 22-2 overall with a 16-2 record in the PSAC.
The Rock are back home at Morrow Field House on Saturday to take on the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats.
