LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team picked up its first conference win with a dominating show in the paint Saturday afternoon on the way to a 69-52 victory at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover action.
 
The Rock (5-2, 1-2 PSAC) posted a 35 advantage in rebounding and pulled down 22 offensive boards on the way to scoring 22 second chance points. SRU held Lock Haven (2-4, 1-2 PSAC) to just 26.3 percent shooting on the day, including just six made field goals in the second half.
 
Slippery Rock opened up a 13-point lead midway through the first period, but sloppy turnovers, foul trouble and a cold streak allowed Lock Haven to walk back into the game. The Bald Eagles cut the deficit all the way to three points at 33-30 at halftime.
 
The Rock dominated the second half, despite struggling again with fouls and turnovers, to the tune of holding Lock Haven to just 22 points, 10 of which came from the free throw line. SRU posted a 35-13 edge in rebounds in the second half alone to pull away for a comfortable win.
 
Slippery Rock shot 40 percent from the field (26-of-65), 20.8 percent from 3-point (5-of-24) and 70.6 percent from the free throw line (12-of-17). The Rock finished the game with a 62-27 advantage in total rebounds, which helped offset 27 team fouls and 22 turnovers by the offense.
 
Lock Haven shot just 26.3 percent from the field (15-of-57), 10 percent from 3-point (1-of-10) and 60 percent from the free throw line (21-of-35), scoring 21 of its 52 total points at the charity stripe.
 
The Rock were paced by Micah Till with his fourth double-double of the year with 18 points and 13 rebounds. He was a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line. Khyree Wooten added 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
 
Brandon Simmons, who entered the day averaging 2.0 blocks per game, finished with a season-high four blocks and now has 13 blocks in his last four games. Simmons also added seven points and nine rebounds.
 
Gabe Mack and Richard Bivens each scored six points and Tony Gates, Christal Malalu and Aaron McDonald each scored five points.
 
Lock Haven was led by Ra'eese Hunt and Amir Hinton with 15 points each.
 
Slippery Rock will have little time to enjoy the victory as The Rock will travel to Bloomsburg University Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip



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