SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team cut a 14-point second-half deficit down to just three points with five minutes to play in regulation, but the University of Charleston was able to hold off SRU for a 66-58 victory Saturday at Morrow Field House.
 
The loss drops The Rock's record 2-2 overall while Charleston stays undefeated at 4-0 with the victory.
 
Charleston, which held a 35-28 lead over SRU heading into halftime, stretched its lead out to 14 points in the second half on three occasions. Leading 50-36 with 10:38 to play in regulation, the Golden Eagles appeared poised to cruise to the victory before Slippery Rock stormed back with a furious rally.
 
SRU scored 13 of the game's next 15 points over the following 5:21 to trim its margin down to just 52-49 with 5:17 left to play. Donovan Walker spearheaded the run with seven points. Jared Armstrong and Jason Fowlkes aided the surge as well with four points and two points, respectively.
 
However, Slippery Rock was unable to complete its comeback bid as it made just two of its final nine field goal attempts over the final five minutes of the second half while Charleston was able to connect on five of its final seven free throws to finish off the road victory.
 
Armstrong led all players with a game-high 18 points. Will Robinson Jr. just missed out on a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds. Walker was SRU's third player to finish in double figures at 11 points in addition to one steal.
 
Revelinio Tholel added five points while the trio of Fowlkes, Amante Britt and Andre Seadey supplemented The Rock's leading scorers with three points apiece. Fowlkes also pulled in eight rebounds.
 
Deontae Robertson and Lashon Lindsey rounded out The Rock's top contributors Friday. Robertson made three steals over 15 minutes played and Lindsey corralled four rebounds, blocked one shot and came away with one steal.
 
Slippery Rock shot just 37.5 percent (24-for-64) from the field overall and 14.3 percent (3-for-21) from 3-point range. SRU forced Charleston into a Golden Eagle season-high 18 turnovers, which The Rock converted into 26 points, thanks in part to seven steals.
 
Charleston converted 42.1 percent (24-for-57) of its field goals to go with a 30 percent (6-for-20) showing from long range and a 75 percent (12-for-16) performance at the free throw line. UC, which out-rebounded The Rock 45-34, was led by Devon Robinson who tallied a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Slippery Rock closes out its four-game homestand with a pair of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover games at Morrow Field House Nov. 23 against Shippensburg University and Nov. 24 against Lock Haven University.
 
  
 

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