SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – In his first game back with the Slippery Rock University men's basketball team, Abdul King knocked down a clutch jumper in the paint with 3.1 seconds left to lift The Rock to a 60-59 victory over Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action Wednesday night at Morrow Field House.
 
Slippery Rock led by a game-high 11 points, 45-34, with 12:08 to play but Mercyhurst stormed back into the game, taking a 54-52 lead with 3:03 to play. The teams traded buckets from there until the sixth tie of the game came at 58-58 with 49 seconds left.
 
The Rock had the first chance at the game-winning bucket, but Malcolm Richardson's shot rimmed out and was rebounded by the Lakers. King gave The Rock another chance by coming up with a steal with 11 seconds left and then sunk the game-winner with 3.1 seconds left in traffic in the paint.
 
The drama didn't end there, however, as Mercyhurst guard Damon Jones was fouled with 0.4 seconds left and sent to the line to shoot two free throws. Jones, who had scored a game-high 22 points and was perfect at the line on the night, missed his first attempt to lock up the win for Slippery Rock.
 
The Rock improve to 7-4 overall and 3-3 in PSAC action with the win, while Mercyhurst drops to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in PSAC games.
 
Ironically enough, King's game-winning points were his only points of the night. He played 25 minutes in his return to SRU.
 
Chaquille Pratt led The Rock with 14 points and six rebounds, while Malcolm Richardson added 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Cornelius Brown chipped in nine points and five rebounds and Maxx Rynd added eight points.
 
Jordan Grady made his first start of the season and scored six points, knocking down both of his 3-point attempts. Juwan Strothers added seven points off the bench.
 
Slippery Rock finished the game shooting 44.4 percent from the field (24-of-54), 43.8 percent from 3-point (7-of-16) and 55.6 percent at the free throw line (5-of-9). The Rock forced 16 Mercyhurst turnovers and converted those into 17 points. They also snagged 10 offensive rebounds and turned those into 18 second chance points to provide the biggest differences in the game.
 
Mercyhurst shot 43.4 percent from the field (23-of-53), 27.3 percent from 3-point (3-of-11) and 71.4 percent at the free throw line (10-of-14). The Lakers finished the game with a 35-29 rebounding advantage and scored 36 of their 59 points in the paint.
 
Jones finished with a game-high 23 points to lead Mercyhurst. Kayode Ajenifuja added 11 points and Gerrae Williams chipped in 10.
 
Slippery Rock will remain home for one final game before the holiday break when Seton Hill visits Morrow Field House Saturday for a 3 p.m. game. The Rock will then break for the holiday and return to action at home against Ohio University Eastern Dec. 30.