SCRANTON, PA— A 19-1 second-half run propelled the Scranton Royals past the Houghton Highlanders on Friday evening, 77-69, to open the Scranton University Invitational.
After Houghton took a five-point lead into the break, the Highlanders went up by as many as eight points early in the second half. The Royals, however, capitalized on a 19-1 spree to push a lead of their own to 10 points.
Houghton would eventually battle back into contention, pulling within two on a free throw from
Jajuan Preaster with 6:42 left to play.
Scranton would again build an extensive lead only to see the Highlanders rally again.
Esafe Taufahema laid in two of his team-high 18 points with 2:43 to play to pull Houghton within a field goal, 66-68.
That, however, would be as close as Houghton would come, as the Royals outscored the Highlanders over the remainder of the game, 9-3, to win the game.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 69 | Scranton – 77
Records: Houghton: 0-2 | Scranton: 1-0
Venue: The John Long Center, University of Scranton | Attendance: 517
NOTABLE STATS
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David Rosa logged his first career double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Rosa also added four assists and two steals.
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Luke Cole collected 12 points (5-of-7 from the floor) and eight rebounds, and
Jajuan Preaster added 10 points and five assists.
>> Taufahema went 8-of-13 from the floor, and posted two assists and two blocked shots.
>> Houghton committed 21 turnovers, while the Royals turned the ball over only 10 times.
>> Stephen Braunstein led the Royals with 21 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
COACH'S CORNER
"What we were in the first half and late is what I know these guys can be. They are making me even more of a believer in them than I was before. Unfortunately, in both games so far we've gotten away from what was working and had to endure long stretches of letting our opponent dictate how we play.
"No doubt that we were better tonight than we were Tuesday, from our starters to our bench, and that means this young group is continuing to grow." - Head Coach
Jeremy Bialek
UP NEXT
Houghton returns to action tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., when they will take on the loser of the York vs. Manhattanville game.
