SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season Saturday with a solid 81-71 win over Alderson Broaddus University at Morrow Field House on day two of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce Conference Challenge.
 
With the win, Slippery Rock exits its opening weekend of the 2021-22 regular season with a 1-1 record. Alderson Broaddus, which defeated Seton Hill University in its season-opener Friday, leaves SRU with a 1-1 record.
 
Jonathan McFall was excellent for The Rock on both ends of the floor against the Battlers as he posted 22 points on a 9-for-14 showing from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 effort at the foul line in addition to blocking three shots and picking up one steal.
 
Tyler Frederick tallied his second double-double in as many games via an 18-point, 13-reboound effort that saw the forward hit seven of his 14 field goal attempts in addition to going 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
 
Amante Britt was the third Rock athlete in double figures as the point guard went for 14 points while passing out four assists and grabbing three rebounds.
 
Lashon Lindsey came off the bench to do a little bit of everything for SRU, scoring eight points, grabbing six rebounds, distributing four assists and blocking two shots. Fellow reserve Jomo Goings chipped in six points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal as well.
 
Starters Bobby Clifford and Frankie Hughes posted nearly identical stat lines of five points, three rebounds and one assist with Hughes also making one steal. Freshman Dylan Ahearn made his collegiate debut Saturday, connecting on one three-pointer and pulling in a rebound over 13 minutes.
 
In contrast to The Rock's quick start Friday against Notre Dame, Saturday's game saw SRU come out slow offensively, but a strong defensive effort allowed Slippery Rock to keep the contest close throughout the first half as the Green and White trailed Alderson Broaddus by just six points at 27-21 with four minutes left in the opening period.
 
The final four minutes belonged to The Rock as SRU closed the half on a 13-4 spurt to take a 34-31 lead into the break. SRU's half-closing run featured four different players scoring at least two points with Frederick leading the way with five.
 
While Alderson Broaddus was able to pull even with Slippery Rock twice in the second half, the Battlers were never able to re-take the lead and with the score tied 52-52 with 10:57 left in regulation SRU put the game out of reach by scoring 20 of the next 26 points over the following six minutes to open up a 14-point lead on the way to its eventual 81-71 win.
 
SRU hit on 19 of its 31 field goal attempts in the second half.
 
Slippery Rock limited the perimeter-oriented Battlers to just an 8-for-27 showing from 3-point range. Meanwhile, SRU ended the contest shooting 48.5 percent (32-for-66) from the field overall and a stellar 92.3 percent (12-for-13) from the foul line.
 
SRU also concluded the contest holding a 40-31 edge over A-B in rebounds while committing just nine turnovers and forcing the Battlers into 12 miscues which The Rock turned into 16 points. Slippery Rock also held advantages in points in the paint (46-38) and second chance points (19-2).
 
Alderson Broaddus, which shot 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the field overall, was led by KJ Walker who scored 20 points thanks in no small part to four 3-pointers.
 
Slippery Rock continues its season-opening four-game homestand when it hosts Penn State Fayette 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17.
 



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