2008-09 Game Summaries

Dec. 2: Susquehanna 60, Misericordia 67
Nov. 29: Susquehanna 65, Wilkes 53
Nov. 22 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game): Susquehanna 80, King's, Pa. 88 (OT)
Nov. 21 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament first round): Susquehanna 70, Penn College 61
Nov. 16 (White Rose City Classic championship game): Susquehanna 59, Neumann 57
Nov. 15 (White Rose City Classic first round): Susquehanna 76, Misericordia 67

Dec. 2: Susquehanna 60, Misericordia 67 Box Score

DALLAS, Pa. — Susquehanna University's senior guard/forward Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) scored a team-high 13 points and added three rebounds, an assist and a steal, but Susquehanna lost, 67–60, to host Misericordia University in a non-conference game at the Anderson Sports-Health Center on Dec. 2.

Freshman guard Brian Kerwin (Basking Ridge, N.J./Immaculata HS) scored 12 points on the strength of a game-high four three-pointers (on four attempts) and collected a rebound and a steal for Susquehanna (4–2 overall). Fellow freshman guard Spenser Spencer (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) was the other Crusader in double figures in points as he scored 10 against Misericordia (5–2 overall) to go with two boards, two assists and two steals.

SU's senior guard Matt McDevitt (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) scored seven points and posted one steal and a team-high five rebounds and four assists. Sophomore center Rob Cosgrove (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) blocked a team-high two shots and added six points and two rebounds.

The game truly went back-and-forth until Misericordia went on a 9–0 run midway through the first half to take a 25–18 lead with 7 minutes, 32 seconds to play before halftime.

The Cougars would lead by seven points twice more in the first half before settling for a 33–28 advantage at the break.

The Crusaders eventually tied the game with a 7–0 run in the middle of the second half that put the score at 49–49 with 8:59 left, but Misericordia immediately pulled away with an 11–3 run that pushed it to 60–52 with only 2:55 to play.

Susquehanna began fouling down by five with 49 seconds left, but Misericordia made enough charity shots down the stretch to escape with the win.

Nov. 29: Susquehanna 65, Wilkes 53 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — In the opening moments of the game, Susquehanna University (4–1 overall) jumped ahead to a commanding 13–0 lead over visiting Wilkes University (2–2 overall) en route to a 65–53 non-conference win at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 29.

Sophomore center Rob Cosgrove (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) (pictured) scored a career- and team-high 16 points and pulled down five boards to help Susquehanna to its fourth win of the season.

Shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe, freshman guard Brian Kerwin (Basking Ridge, N.J./Immaculata HS) tallied a career-high 11 points for the Crusaders, while senior guard/forward Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) fell one point short of his third double-double of the season, registering nine points, a team-high 10 rebounds and a game-high four assists. Sophomore forward Hunter McKain (Ligonier, Pa./Shady Side Academy) scored eight points and threw-down a game-high two blocks.

A Cosgrove layup 34 seconds into play opened an unanswered 13-point run to set the stage for the Orange and Maroon. Six minutes, 11 seconds had ticked off the clock before a Wilkes player buried a jumper to finally put the Colonels on the board.

The Crusaders, who connected with over 44 percent of their field goals, remained a step ahead of the Colonels the entire game. Wilkes was able to come within six points of the hosts on a five-point run; however, that terminated with 7:26 remaining in the first half when senior guard Matt McDevitt (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) drained a three-pointer. The Colonels would not break the six-point barrier before the final buzzer rang.

Susquehanna shot a dominating 83.3 percent from the free-throw line, while Wilkes was riddled with misfortune, shooting just 44.8 percent from that same stripe. Junior guards Marcus Burke (Hyde Park, Mass./Brimmer and May) and Bryan Majors (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg) joined Kerwin with perfect performances following the foul, shooting 4-for-4 and 2-for-2, respectively.

Despite being edged, 31–30, in the second stint of play, the Crusaders’ 35–22 lead at the half was enough to lead the team to victory.

Nov. 22 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game): Susquehanna 80, King's, Pa. 88 (OT) Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University's freshman guard and all–tournament team member Spenser Spencer (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) scored a team-high 18 points and dished out two assists, but visiting King's College (Pa.) took an 88–80 non-conference overtime win in the championship game of the 2008 Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 22.

Spencer didn't see a shot that he didn't like, as the Susquehanna (3–1 overall) spark plug took a game-high 17 shots from the field, including going 4-for-10 from three-point range. The most field goals attempted by a King's (4–0 overall) player was 11.

SU's senior guard/forward and all–tournament honoree Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) did a bit of everything by tallying 14 points, eight rebounds, three steals, an assist and a game-high three blocks.

Senior guard Matt McDevitt (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) and junior guard Bryan Majors (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg) were the other Crusaders in double figures. McDevitt scored 14 points and added five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Majors handed out an impressive game-high eight assists, grabbed three rebounds and made three steals.

The first half was anyone's game, as the lead changed hands 13 times.

King's came away with a 29–28 lead at halftime and controlled play for most of the second half. The Monarchs led, 54–44, with 10 minutes, 59 seconds to play in the second half and took a 66–57 with just 5:07 to play.

The Crusaders went on an 8–0 run after that though to cut the score to 66–65 with 3:08 left, but the lead swelled out to 72–69 with only 37 seconds to play after a pair of clutch Monarchs free throws. Spencer followed with a jumper with 13 seconds left to bring the game within one, and McDevitt stole the inbounds pass before Majors was fouled. Majors hit the first free throw to tie the score but missed the second.

A long three-pointer sailed wide of the hoop for King's after that, sending the game into overtime.

King's controlled play immediately in the overtime, jumping out to a 77–72 lead with 3:06 left. Majors responded with a three-pointer to narrow the gap to two, but the Crusaders were whistled for costly fouls following that. A King's player made four straight from the charity stripe around a Patch layup, then followed that with a jumper for an 83–77 lead with 1:01 remaining.

Susquehanna starting fouling to stay in the game, but King's was up to the task from the line, making five of six free throws to end it.

Nov. 21 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament first round): Susquehanna 70, Penn College 61 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University's senior guard/forward Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) posted his second double-double in three games with a team-high 20 points and 13 rebounds to help lead Susquehanna to a 70–61 non-conference win over the visiting Pennsylvania College of Technology in the first round of the 2008Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 21.

Patch shot 66.7 percent from the field and also dished out two assists and blocked two Penn College (2–2 overall) shots. Freshman guard Spenser Spencer (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) scored 17 points and added four rebounds, two steals and an assist for Susquehanna (3–0 overall).

SU's sophomore forward Hunter McKain (Ligonier, Pa./Shady Side Academy) narrowly missed a second straight double-double as he scored eight points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a game-high three shots. Junior guard Bryan Majors (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg) and senior guard Matt McDevitt (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) tied for the game-high with six assists apiece. Majors also tied for the game-high with four steals and added three points and a rebound, while McDevitt posted six points, six rebounds and two steals.

SU took its first lead of the game at 8–7 just 4 minutes, 1 second into the first half but did not lead again until only 1:35 remained before intermission. Penn College led by as many as 10 twice in the first half, the last time with 4:29 left. But the Crusaders closed out the half on a 15–0 run to take a 37–32 lead into the break. Sophomore guard Frank Marcinek Jr. (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area) made his team-high two three-pointers during that span.

The Wildcats tied the game 4:06 into the second half at 43–43 and drew the score to 55–54 with 6:11 remaining, but Patch, McDevitt and McKain responded with three unanswered buckets to begin to put the game away.

Penn College starting fouling with 34 seconds left in an attempt to prolong the game, but Spencer was perfect from the line in his last four attempts to send the Crusaders to the tournament championship game.

Susquehanna plays King's College (Pa.) on Saturday, Nov. 22, in the 2008 Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game at 3 p.m. King's defeated SUNY Morrisville, 64–47, on Nov. 21 to advance to the tournament final.

Morrisville and Penn College play in the tournament consolation game on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Nov. 16 (White Rose City Classic championship game): Susquehanna 59, Neumann 57 Box Score

YORK, Pa. — Susquehanna University's sophomore forward Hunter McKain (Ligonier, Pa./Shady Side Academy) and senior guard Matt McDevitt (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) both made one free throw in the last 12 seconds, and Neumann College missed a three-pointer with one second remaining to give Susquehanna a 59–57 non-conference win in the championship game of the White Rose City Classic at the York College of Pennsylvania's Charles Wolf Gymnasium on Nov. 16.

McKain grabbed a defensive rebound with 34 seconds left in a tie game following a missed Neumann (1–1 overall) three-pointer. McDevitt was then fouled with 12 seconds remaining and hit the first of two free throws for the first Susquehanna (2–0 overall) lead of the game. He missed the second, but McKain was there for another important rebound. McKain was fouled immediately and went to the line where he also made the first of two. His second was off-the-mark, which gave the Knights their shot at the last-second win, though it was not to be.

McKain registered a double-double of 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. He also posted one assist, one block and one steal. McDevitt also scored 11 points and added seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.

SU's senior guard/forward Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) scored a team-high 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds and picked up an assist and a block.

Junior guard Bryan Majors (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg) dished out a team-high four assists and made a team-high three steals. Majors also scored five points and pulled down a rebound.

Senior guard Zac Smith (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) made the only two three-pointers for the Crusaders as part of an eight-point day. Smith also registered two boards, two assists and a steal.

Sophomore center Rob Cosgrove (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) also scored eight points and added five rebounds and a block.

Neumann led, 34–23, at the half and matched that 11-point lead with a 51–40 advantage with 9 minutes, 27 seconds left in the second half before Susquehanna took a timeout. Following the break, SU went on a 12–2 run to draw the game to 53–52 with 4:53 to play.

The action went back-and-forth from there until McKain tied the game at 55–55 on a layup with 3:13 left. Neumann made two free throws on the ensuing possession, but Patch responded with a layup to tie it again with just 2:30 to play.

Neither team could find the basket again until McDevitt's game-winning free throw and McKain's heroics to end it.

Susquehanna held a decided advantage in rebounds, 48–29.

Nov. 15 (White Rose City Classic first round): Susquehanna 76, Misericordia 67 Box Score

YORK, Pa. — Senior guard/forward Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) posted a double-double of 21 points and a game-high 11 rebounds while shooting an impressive 64.3 percent from the floor to help lead Susquehanna University to a 76–67 non-conference win over Misericordia University in the first round of the White Rose City Classic at the York College of Pennsylvania's Charles Wolf Gymnasium on Nov. 15.

Susquehanna (1–0 overall) and Misericordia (0–1 overall) are both opening their 2008–09 seasons in the four-team White Rose tournament.

SU's freshman guard Spenser Spencer (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) also poured in 21 points in his first collegiate game to tie Patch for the game high. Patch and Spencer both dished out two assists, and Spencer grabbed three rebounds and a steal. Spencer shot 53.9 percent from the floor, including making a game-high four three-pointers, and sunk all three of his free-throw attempts.

Sophomore forward Hunter McKain (Ligonier, Pa./Shady Side Academy) blocked a game-high six shots and was the other Susquehanna player in double figures in points with 14. McKain added six rebounds and two assists.

Senior guard Matt McDevitt (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) handed out a game-high six assists and made a game-high three steals for the Crusaders. McDevitt also scored four points and posted four rebounds.

Sophomore center Rob Cosgrove (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) did a little bit of everything as he scored six points, pulled down four rebounds, handed out two assists and picked up a steal and a block.

Misericordia led by as many as nine points in the first half, but Susquehanna kept battling back and even took a 33–31 lead into halftime.

The game was tied at 45–45 with 13 minutes, 16 seconds remaining in the second half, and play went back-and-forth from there. Susquehanna began to pull away with the game with an eight-point lead with 7:56 remaining when Spencer hit a three-pointer and McKain made a jumper with 8:35 and 7:56 remaining, respectively.

The lead dwindled to just two for Susquehanna twice in the second half, the last time with just 3:14 left when a Cougars player hit a layup after a steal. Misericordia made another quick steal following that layup but missed a jumper that would have tied the game again. SU came right back down the floor where McKain hit a big three-pointer for a five-point cushion, 68–63.

Misericordia scored next with two free throws to get within one possession at 68–65, but Patch put thoughts of a late comeback to rest when he finished McDevitt's assist with a bucket and a free throw that pushed the lead out to six, 71–65.

Misericordia missed a three-pointer on the ensuing possession and was forced to start fouling to get back in the game. Spencer then made two free throws to balloon the lead to 73–65 and essentially put the game out of reach with only 48 seconds left.

Following a Cougars layup, Patch slammed home a dunk and hit a free throw with 21 and 13 seconds left, respectively, to provide the final margin. The 76–67 final score made for Susquehanna's biggest lead of the game.

Susquehanna held a 40-34 edge in rebounds.