Consistent Offense Leads Eagles Past Shoremen
HUNTINGDON Pa. - The Juniata men's basketball team posted 35 points in each half while keeping the Washington College offense at bay in a 70-50 victory to open the Comfort Inn Doc Greene Tournament and advance to the championship game.
Juniata opened the game on a six-point run that featured two Ross Conway layups and a layup from Mason Hardy. An in-bounds dunk and a three-pointer from Washington got the Shoreman back within one through the first four minutes of the half. A Gabe Guidinger three and a pair of three-pointers from Evan Eisenhart gave the Eagles a 17-8 advantage halfway through the first. The next six Eagles points came from Chase Husted as the Eagles continued to maintain a gap of around seven to ten points over Washington. Conway dropped a pair of three-pointers as Juniata entered the break with a 35-20 advantage over the Shoreman.
Juniata's efficiency from behind the three-point line was key to drawing a 15-point lead, as they went five for nine. Conway hit five of six field goals and both of his three attempts in the half.
The Shoremen outscored the Eagles 12-7 in the first six minutes of play to get back within ten points at 42-32, keeping Juniata on its toes. Nick Rigby struck next with a layup before Washington hit a three from the left corner, taking a timeout following the shot. Washington returned from the timeout break unable to convert on a pair of fouls. Rigby hit a layup off an inbound play, and Washington hit a jumper on the next possession to get back within nine with 11 minutes to play.
Washington would get no closer than nine as Juniata began to widen the margin with a 7-0 run to go ahead 53-37. Washington kept within 14 with two minutes on the clock, but Juniata would thwart any rally as they posted six unanswered in the final two minutes for a 70-50 finale.
Conway ended the day with a team-high 12 points. Husted followed with 11 points. Hardy posted eight points, sinking his only field goal attempt while hitting all six of his free throws. Eisenhart posted the most points off the bench with a trio of three-pointers and a free throw for ten points.
The Eagles play next at 4:00 tomorrow as they face SUNY Cortland in the Comfort Inn Doc Greene Tournament Championship. The Red Dragons earned a place in the championship following a 78-66 victory over Pitt.-Greensburg Thursday evening. Tomorrow's game marks the first meeting of the sides.