ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team lost on the road to No. 5 Gannon University, 117-73, Wednesday at the Highmark Events Center.
 
The loss moves The Rock's record to 15-10 overall and 8-9 inside the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Gannon meanwhile closes the night at 23-2 overall and 15-1 in league play.
 
With three games remaining in the regular season, SRU remains tied for fourth place in the PSAC West standings alongside Edinboro. The Rock and Fighting Scots hold a one-game advantage over Seton Hill and Clarion, who are tied for sixth place with matching 7-10 conference marks.
 
The top six teams in the Western Division standings at the conclusion of the regular season qualifies for the PSAC Tournament.
 
Slippery Rock was unable to ever find its collective footing Wednesday night as the nationally ranked Golden Knights jumped out to a 30-7 lead eight minutes into regulation before stretching its advantage to 31 points (69-38) heading into halftime. GU added 13 points to its halftime edge over the final 20 minutes for the eventual 44-point win.
 
Four of The Rock's five starters finished in double figures Wednesday, led by Brady Mayo's 14-point, two-assist showing. Included in Mayo's scoring was a perfect 6-for-6 night at the foul line.
 
Dame Givner added 13 points, while the duo of Kerwin Prince (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Isaac James (13 points, 8 rebounds) both nearly recorded double-doubles.
 
RJ Sledge chipped in eight points, distributed four assists, grabbed three rebounds and made one steal over a team-high 33 minutes of playing time.
 
Off the bench, Alex Griggs and Braylon Littlejohn compiled seven points and six points, respectively, with Littlejohn also collecting three rebounds and tallying two assists.
 
As a team, Slippery Rock shot 49.1 percent (27-of-55) from the field overall, 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from 3-point range and 81.3 percent (13-of-16) at the foul line.
 
Gannon finished off the win shooting 53.1 percent (43-of-81) from the field, .321 (9-of-28) from 3-point territory and 81.5 percent (22-of-27) from the free throw line.
 
The Golden Knights' press forced Slippery Rock into 26 turnovers, which Gannon parlayed into 40 points. GU also held a +9 (39-30) rebounding margin, including 17 offensive rebounds that resulted in 22 second chance points. Morgan Lucas scored a game-high 19 points for Gannon.
 
Slippery Rock returns home to host Seton Hill University 3 p.m. Saturday at Morrow Field House on Senior Day. SRU will look to avenge a loss at Seton Hill earlier in the year and earn a split of the season series.
 
 


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