SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Gannon University men's basketball team shot 61.5 percent from the field and went 16-of-17 at the free throw line over the final 20 minutes to storm back from an eight-point halftime deficit and hand Slippery Rock University a 69-49 defeat Wednesday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action from Morrow Field House.
 
The Rock limited the Golden Knights to just 19 points and 36.4 percent shooting in the first half on the way to opening up a 27-19 lead at the break. That momentum evaporated quickly in the second half when SRU went frigid from the floor and Gannon caught fire. The Rock made just five field goals over the final 20 minutes, shooting 21.7 percent from the field, and turned the ball over 12 times in the second half.
 
Gannon went 16-of-26 from the field, scored 22 points off turnovers and outscored Slippery Rock 24-2 in the paint during the second half. The Golden Knights were also nearly perfect at the free throw line, making their first 12 attempts of the period and finishing 16-of-17 in the half.
 
Slippery Rock slips to 10-10 overall and closes the first round of PSAC West play with a 6-8 conference record. Gannon remained one spot ahead of SRU in the division standings and improved to 9-9 overall and 8-6 in league action.
 
The Rock finished the night shooting a season-low 28.3 percent from the field (15-of-53). The next lowest single-game effort of the season was a 35.2 percent showing against Salem back on Dec. 15. The 15 made field goals were also seven fewer than any other game this season (22 in a win at Mercyhurst). SRU was 33.3 percent from 3-point (9-of-27) and 76.9 percent from the free throw line (10-of-13).
 
Gannon recovered from its slow start to finish the night shooting 50.0 percent from the field (24-of-48), 28.6 percent from 3-point (4-of-14) and 81.0 percent from the free throw line (17-of-21). The Golden Knights outrebounded SRU by a 33-32 margin, marking the first time in nine games that an opponent won the rebounding battle.
 
Will Bounds was the bright spot for Slippery Rock offensively, scoring a career-high 17 points off the bench, which included a perfect 4-for-4 effort from 3-point. Bounds shot 6-of-7 from the field and grabbed three rebounds as well.
 
Deontae Robertson was the only other SRU player to reach double figures with 10 points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds.
 
Will Robinson Jr. added eight points and four rebounds and Micah Till scored six points and handed out three assists.
 
Gannon was paced by Matt Johnson with 20 points, which included a 9-of-9 effort from the free throw line. Kevin Dodds added 16 points and DeAnte Cisero scored 12 points.
 
Slippery Rock closed the first round of divisional play in the sixth and final PSAC playoff position in the Western Division with a 6-8 record. The Rock have a three-game cushion on seventh place Clarion (3-11) entering the final eight games of the season.
 
SRU will kick off the second round of divisional play on the road at Cal U Saturday at 3 p.m.



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