Matt Johnson
69
Winner Gannon GAN-M 9-9, 8-6 PSAC
49
Slippery Rock SRU-M 10-10, 6-8 PSAC
Winner
Gannon GAN-M
9-9, 8-6 PSAC
69
Final
49
Slippery Rock SRU-M
10-10, 6-8 PSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Gannon GAN-M 19 50 69
Slippery Rock SRU-M 27 22 49

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Myles Johnson, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Big Second Half Propels Gannon Past Slippery Rock, 69-49

Matt Johnson paced Gannon with a career-high 20 points.

THE RUNDOWN
  • Final Score: Gannon 69, Slippery Rock 49
  • Records: Gannon 9-9 (8-6 PSAC), Slippery Rock 10-10 (6-8 PSAC)
  • Location: Morrow Field House | Slippery Rock, Pa.  
  • The Short Story: Gannon outscored Slippery Rock 50-22 in the second half to earn the win, 69-49. Matt Johnson (Chicago, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) led all scorers with a career-high 20 points. Kevin Dodds (Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) (16) and DeAnte Cisero (Chicago, Ill./Montgomery County (Ky.)) (12) also reached double figures in scoring for the Knights.
GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After the teams traded baskets in the opening few minutes, Gannon was able to build a four point, 9-5, edge after Victor Olawoye (Elmont, N.Y./Elmont Memorial) netted a triple. Slippery Rock answered to regain the lead, 12-11, by the 10:07 mark. Following a Cisero jumper, the Rock rattled off five unanswered points to push their lead to 17-13 with 7:52 on the clock.
  • Slippery Rock continued to apply pressure increasing its lead to nine, 23-14, after Will Bounds connected on a three with 3:56 to play in the half. The Rock took a 27-19 advantage into the locker room at the half. Johnson paced the Knights with a team-high five points with three rebounds and two assists.
  • Gannon opened the second frame pulling back within five, 28-23, after Chris Clancy (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's Boys) navigated the lane for a layup at the 17:20 mark. Following a Slippery Rock three, Gannon erupted with a huge 13-0 run to steal the lead, 36-31, with 12:47 remaining. Johnson fueled the run for the Knights with five points.
  • The Knights continued to roll offensively extending their lead into double figures, 45-34, after Johnson connected on a jumper with 8:11 to play. Slippery Rock pushed back cutting the edge down to nine, 49-40, after a pair of free throws from Micah Till with 5:52 remaining. However, the Rock couldn't cut the lead down any further and the Knights went on to close out the remaining time to earn their second straight win, 69-49.
GAME NOTES
  • The contest featured eight lead changes.
  • Gannon shot 24-of-48 from the field and 4-of-14 from three.
  • Gannon shot 17-of-21 from the free throw line, including 16 made free throws in the second half.
  • The Knights scored 30 points in the paint and 26 points off of turnovers.
  • Johnson posted a career-high 20 points. He also added a game-high four assists with three rebounds and two steals. It marked his second straight game hitting double figures in scoring.
  • Dodds also reached double digits in scoring for the second straight game and matched a career-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds.
  • Cisero returned to the lineup and tallied 12 points with a team-high six rebounds.
UP NEXT
  • Gannon returns home to face Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday for the Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Doubleheader. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. at Hammermill Center.
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