Royals Fend Off Late Eagle Rally in Regular Season Finale

SCRANTON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team couldn't quite complete the comeback as they ultimately fell on the road at the University of Scranton, 77-71, Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center. 

Evan Eisenhart got things started with a triple, and Gabe Guidinger converted a layup after a Royal bucket. Scranton converted a three as the teams were tied again three minutes in. The Royals rattled off 15 of the next nine points as a transition layup pushed them ahead by 11, 20-9. 

Juniata slowly chipped away at the deficit, with Kyle Ruggery finding Guidinger for a three before Ruggery drilled a three following an offensive rebound to bring Juniata within three, 27-23, with six to go in the half. 

Scranton pushed their lead back to 13, but Juniata closed the half strong. Mason Hardy made a pair of foul shots. Chase Husted scored on a putback, and Eisenhart made a three following a pass from Tyler Lapetina. Juniata went into the half down six, 38-32.  

The Royals controlled the opening nine minutes of the second half as they surged ahead by 16, 57-41, with 11 minutes to go in the half following a bucket inside.  

Buckets from Husted and Ruggery brought Juniata back within twelve, but the Eagles couldn't narrow the gap further until Lapetina nailed a three off a Hardy assist to bring the Eagles within 10.

Juniata kept hanging around and, with just over two minutes to go, made their move. Lapetina found Husted for a score in the paint, and he followed on the net possession by scoring via putback to bring the Eagles within five with 49 seconds to go in the game. The Royals turned the ball over, and on the other end, Nick Rigby kicked it to Lapetina for a three to bring Juniata within two. 

Juniata fouled, and Scranton made enough of their foul shots in the final seconds to prevent the Eagle comeback. 

Husted totaled 20 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal, while Guidinger added 10 points and three rebounds. Ruggery continued his steady play off the bench as he chipped in with 12 points, one rebound, and two assists.  

Juniata will travel to take on Susquehanna in a repeat of last year's Landmark semifinals Wednesday at 7:00.