Royals Pull Away Late from Eagles

SCRANTON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team lost in a defensive slugfest on the road at the University of Scranton, 56-41—Saturday afternoon. 

Ty Kocak led the way with 10 points, eight rebounds, and an assist, while Malcolm Griffith tallied six points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Ayden Hurley contributed nine points, two rebounds, and a steal. Jaiden Aze added a game-high nine rebounds along with two assists. 

The Royals opened the game by scoring the first five points before a Neco Campbell three and a Griffith jumper following another Royal make made it 7-5. The teams traded makes, with layups from Campbell and Tre Yawn bringing the Eagles back within two. The Eagles didn't let the Royals pull away as they kept trying to grow the deficit, with Aze finding Hurley for a three in the final minute and a half to bring JC back within two. The Royals tallied the final make of the half, a three of their own, as the Eagles trailed by five at the half, 28-23. 

A Yawn layup midway through the second half cut the deficit to one, and later two foul shots and a Kocak jumper gave Juniata the lead with seven to go in the game. 

Kocak's foul shot with four minutes showing on the clock to make it 47-41 Scranton were the final points Juniata scored as the Eagles couldn't get going down the stretch. The Royals closed the game out to defeat the Eagles. Juniata returns to action Tuesday at Gwynedd Mercy, Tuesday at 7:00.