SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team opened its 2023-24 season in style Wednesday night at Morrow Field House with a 100-71 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan College.
 
The game marked the first time that Slippery Rock (1-0) has scored 100 points against a fellow Division II opponent since a 102-65 victory over Lock Haven University Feb. 18, 2009. Slippery Rock has now won three of its last four season-openers.
 
Wednesday's win over the Bobcats (1-3) was a total team effort in which five players finished in doubles figures and every active member of the roster saw playing time. Leading the offensive barrage was Maceo Austin, who went for 25 points, seven assists, three blocks, three rebounds and a pair of steals over 32 minutes.
 
Austin, who was playing in his first official collegiate game since the 2021 season at Duquesne University, shot a nearly flawless 9-of-11 from the field overall including a 2-of-3 showing from distance in addition to going 5-for-8 at the foul line.
 
The 25-point outing is tied for the fourth-highest scoring output by a Slippery Rock player in their debut game with the program.
 
Veteran big man Lashon Lindsey opened his senior season with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double that included an 8-of-11 shooting performance from the field.  
 
Also making his Slippery Rock debut Wednesday was Gannon University transfer Ike Herster, who produced 16 points and six rebounds.
 
The duo of Jomo Goings and Sheick Samoura came off the bench to each finish in double figures with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Goings, who matched Herster with team-high honors in made 3-pointers with three of his own, also corralled seven rebounds. Samoura, a redshirt freshman, also blocked one shot.
 
Point guard Luke Howes dished out six assists and made one steal while committing just two turnovers. Fellow starter Nik Cazacu blocked three shots in just six minutes.
 
Rounding out The Rock's top performers versus West Virginia Wesleyan were reserves Bobby Clifford and Mack Staunch. Clifford collected six rebounds, four of which came on the offensive glass, and Staunch scored seven points in what was the redshirt freshman's collegiate debut.
 
An upset-minded West Virginia Wesleyan team led for the majority of the opening eight minutes of the first half, eventually pulling out to a 15-11 lead. However, SRU proceeded to go on a decisive 14-0 run in which it held the Bobcats scoreless for the next 5:22 to take a 25-15 advantage it would never relinquish.
 
Slippery Rock would build a 21-point lead by the halftime break and eventually stretch its lead out to 29 points courtesy of a Staunch layup with 32 seconds left in regulation to cap off the impressive victory. The Rock ultimately led for 31 minutes Wednesday.
 
The Rock ended the victory with efficient shooting percentages of .507 (34-of-67) from the field overall and .444 (12-of-27) from 3-point range all the while committing just 12 turnovers. SRU also connected on 66.7 percent (20-of-30) of its foul shots.
 
Defensively, Slippery Rock limited the Bobcats to 35.4 percent (23-of-65) shooting performance, including a 14-for-30 collective performance from distance. SRU also forced West Virginia Wesleyan into 20 turnovers, which were converted into 24 points, while holding a +8 (44-36) rebounding margin.
 
West Virginia Wesleyan was led by Aidan Blake, who hit seven 3-pointers to finish with 21 points.
 
Slippery Rock returns to competition 6 p.m. Nov. 21 when it opens a six-game road trip at Daemen University.






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