SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team locked up at least one home playoff game in the upcoming Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs with a convincing 70-51 win over Seton Hill Saturday at Morrow Field House.
 
The Rock guaranteed themselves of a top four finish in the PSAC Western Division standings with the win Saturday which means at least one home playoff game at Morrow Field House. If SRU finishes as the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the division, that would be a first round game Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. If The Rock can move up into one of the top two positions in the division it would mean a first round bye and a home game March 3 in the second round.
 
Saturday's game was never really in doubt as Slippery Rock (18-7, 13-6 PSAC) built up a double figure lead early in the first half and never looked back. The hosts led 37-26 at halftime and maintained a double figure advantage over Seton Hill (6-17, 5-14 PSAC) for the entire second half.
 
Antonio Butler scored 16 of the team's first 18 points and finished with a team-high 22 points for his 17th consecutive double figure scoring output. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double and was one of three SRU players to post a double-double in the game.
 
Malcolm Richardson recorded his second straight double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and also led the team with five assists. Frank Holloway scored 11 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
 
The Rock placed four players in double figures with Chaquille Pratt adding 12 points and seven rebounds.
 
Slippery Rock had one of its better shooting performances in recent weeks, shooting above 40 percent for the second time in the last 11 games. The Rock connected on 29-of-66 attempts from the field (43.9 percent), 7-of-24 from 3-point (29.2 percent) and was perfect at the free throw line with only five trips.
 
The Green and White also returned to their dominant ways on the glass and posted a 48-29 advantage in total rebounds. Included in that was 16 offensive rebounds that helped SRU to a 15-7 advantage in second chance points and a dominant 42-20 edge in scoring in the paint.
 
Seton Hill shot 31 percent from the field (18-of-58), 15.8 percent from 3-point (3-of-19) and 75 percent from the free throw line (12-of-16).
 
David Winsor scored 18 of his team's first 24 points as he and Butler put on a two-man show early in the game. Windsor finished with a game-high 26 points. Spencer Casson added 10 points and eight rebounds for Seton Hill and Kameron Taylor chipped in seven points. No Griffin player outside of those three recorded more than two points.
 
Slippery Rock remains in fourth place in the Western Division but moved one game closer to the top three after nationally ranked Indiana (Pa.) was upset for the second time this week with a loss to Edinboro Saturday.
 
That sets up a huge showdown Wednesday at Indiana, as a Slippery Rock win in that game would move The Rock ahead of the Crimson Hawks and into at least third in the division standings. Game time for that matchup is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
Slippery Rock will play both of its games on the road next week with a trip to Clarion next Sunday after the visit to Indiana. The Rock then return home to close the regular season Feb. 25 against California (Pa.) at 8 p.m.
 
 
PSAC Western Division Standings
(After games of Feb. 14)
 
1. Gannon (16-4, 2 games to play) *
2. Mercyhurst (15-5, 2 games to play) *
3. Indiana (14-5, 3 games to play) *
4. Slippery Rock (13-6, 3 games to play) *
5. Pitt-Johnstown (9-10, 3 games to play)
6. California (9-10, 3 games to play)
7. Edinboro (9-11, 2 games to play)
8. Clarion (6-13, 3 games to play)
9. Seton Hill (5-14, 3 games to play) 

* Clinched PSAC playoff berth