Juniata Pulls Out 84-74 Double OT Thriller in Landmark Semifinals

SCRANTON, Pa. – Juniata men's basketball upset No. 2 seed University of Scranton 84-74 Wednesday night in the Landmark Conference tournament semifinals in a double-overtime thriller.  Juniata overcame a 10-point deficit with less than four minutes remaining in regulation to earn its first road win over the Royals since head coach Greg Curley took the helm.

The Eagles were 0-2 against Scranton in the postseason heading into the contest.  They are now 3-2 all-time in the Landmark tournament.

Juniata (18-8) saw four finish in double-figures.  Juniors Brian Scholly (State College, Pa./State College) and Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W. Va./John Marshall) led the team with 22 points.  The mark is a career-high for Hays who also had a game-high six assists.  Scholly tallied a game and career-high six blocks in the win.  Senior Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa/Altoona) and junior Kevin Stapleton (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) finished with 12 and 13 points, respectively.

Juniata led by as many as 12 before the Royals fought back and held Juniata scoreless for two six minute stretches.  Scranton went on a 27-7 run to take a 10 point lead with 3:43 left in regulation.  The Eagles offense finally responded to the onslaught with a 7-0 run of their own.  Down by three 59-62 with 1:56 on the clock, Juniata missed two three's before freshman Kyle Koehler (Chester Springs, Pa./Devon Prep.) drained one deep to send the game into its first overtime.

Scranton opened scoring in the second overtime, but the Eagles went on a 10-0 run to pull ahead by nine.  They wouldn't let Scranton any closer than six in the final ticks of the clock.

The Royals were led by Ross Danzig who finished with a game-high 26 points.  Scranton ends its season 19-7 overall. 

Juniata will face No. 11 Catholic University in the Landmark Championship on Saturday, Feb. 23 down in Washington, D.C.  The Eagles are 1-1 against Catholic this season, 8-5 all-time. This will be the program's first meeting in postseason play.

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