WHEELING, W. Va. - Behind a strong second-half performance, the Slippery Rock University men's basketball team earned an 85-77 victory on the road Wednesday night over Wheeling University at the McDonough Center.
 
The Rock's non-conference win improves their record to 2-1 early on in the 2024-25 season while the host Cardinals drop to 1-2.
 
SRU registered a road win in its first chance this year as opposed to last season when Slippery Rock dropped eight consecutive road games to open the season and did not gather a win away from Morrow Field House until Jan. 20.  
 
After trailing Wheeling by four points at the halftime break, Slippery Rock held a +12 scoring margin in the final 20 minutes.
 
Luke Howes scored 21 points, matching his career-high and leading five Rock athletes who finished in double figures. Howes, who went 6-for-11 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 at the foul line, also blocked one shot and pocketed on steal.
 
Reigning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Athlete of the Week Jomo Goings continued his stellar start to the year by producing a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included two steals. Goings has recorded double-doubles in two of The Rock's first three games.
 
Ike Herster and Day Waters provided SRU with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Waters tallied his first double-digit scoring performance in a Rock uniform on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting effort from the field that included one 3-pointer in addition to a trio of free throws.
 
Seeing his first extended amount of playing time of the year, Sheick Samoura came off the bench to go for 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Joining Samoura as key reserves in the win were Bobby Clifford (4 points, 2 blocks), Mack Staunch (3 points, 5 rebounds) and Bryon Ottrix (2 assists).
 
While Wheeling scored nine straight points to begin the game and later led 11-2 through the 16-minute mark of the first half, Slippery Rock eliminated the deficit over the following four minutes and with 12 minutes left in the opening half SRU and Wheeling were deadlocked at 15-15.
 
From there, The Rock and Cardinals proceeded to combine for 29 lead changers and 15 ties in the final 32 minutes of competition between the two evenly matched teams.
 
The turning point of the game occurred with 5:26 to play in the second half when - with the scored tied 69-69 – Goings drove the lane and drew a foul before calmly stepping to the line and making both free throws to give The Rock a two-point advantage they ultimately never surrendered.
 
The Cardinals stayed within striking distance of SRU over the proceeding four minutes until Howes took over the final minute of regulation by accounting for five of the game's final nine points to put the finishing touches on an eight-point victory.
 
The Rock polished off their win on a 10-4 game-ending run. Howes scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half.
 
Slippery Rock ended the night enjoying its best shooting performance of the season at 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the field overall all the while committing a season-low 12 turnovers and holding a +9 rebounding margin (39-30), including 15 offensive rebounds which were parlayed into 11 second chance points.
 
SRU also continued its trend of getting to the foul line and making the most of the opportunities by converting 28-of-36 (.778) free throw attempts. SRU has made at least 20 foul shots in all three of its games this year.
 
The Cardinals concluded the home setback shooting 46.8 percent (29-of-62) overall, 38.5 percent (10-of-26) form 3-point territory and 64.3 percent (9-of-14) at the foul line. Much like The Rock, Wheeling limited its miscues with just 12 turnovers. Sean Ealy scored a team-high 17 points to pace WU in the loss.
 
Slippery Rock returns to Morrow Field House to start a season-long three-game homestand 7 p.m. Saturday against Fairmont State University.




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