SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team dropped its third straight game with a 70-59 defeat Saturday to Edinboro University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action from Morrow Field House.
 
The Rock stayed within six points for most of the second half, but a difficult day at the free throw line for the hosts and a strong second half shooting effort from Edinboro was too much to overcome as the Fighting Scots pulled away for the win.
 
Slippery Rock drops to 10-9 overall and 6-7 in PSAC games with the loss, while Edinboro improves to 6-11 overall and 4-9 in league action.
 
The Fighting Scots shot 39.4 percent in the first half and led 32-26 at the break, but shot 50 percent from the field in the second half and made 11-of-15 free throw attempts in the final 20 minutes. On the other side of the floor, Slippery Rock managed just a 38.7 percent shooting efficiency for the game and made 7-of-19 free throw attempts.
 
Christal Malalu registered a double-double with 13 points and 19 rebounds to lead three Slippery Rock players in double figures. Vinny Lasley continued his recent stretch of strong play to finish with a career-high 16 points and also pulled down six boards. Merdic Green added 11 points and three assists to round out the top scorers for SRU.
 
Tony Gates scored six points and Jordan Marrow added five points, both in reserve roles.
 
The Rock finished the game shooting 38.7 percent from the field (24-of-62), 23.5 percent from 3-point (4-of-17) and 36.8 percent at the free throw line (7-of-19). SRU pulled down a 45-36 edge in total rebounds and outscored Edinboro 11-2 in second chance points after recording 17 offensive boards.
 
Edinboro shot 43.9 percent from the field (25-of-57), 22.2 percent from 3-point (4-of-18) and 80 percent at the free throw line (16-of-20).
 
Jaymon Mason topped all scorers in the game with 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field and a 12-of-13 effort at the free throw line. Sheldon Brogdon added 13 points and Mikael Anderson scored 10 points for the Fighting Scots.
 
Slippery Rock has now dropped three in a row and five of its last six games after putting together a six-game winning streak.
 
The Rock will look to get back on track Wednesday night when they visit Gannon for a 7:30 p.m. tip in the final game of the first round of PSAC West divisional play.