Hardy, Bilger Lead Eagles to Victory Over Gophers on Senior Day

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team notched a win over Goucher College, 60-46, Saturday afternoon inside Memorial Gymnasium on Senior Day. 

Mason Hardy totaled 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and a block, while Jayden Bilger tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Malcolm Griffith added eight points, eight rebounds, a steal and two blocks while William Littles Jr. contributed eight points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals. Ty Kocak had three points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. Tre Yawn provided two points, five rebounds, four assists and a block. 

The Gophers opened the game on an 8-2 run over the first five minutes of the contest. Juniata responded with a 17-2 run, capped by a Tyler Lapetina triple off a Kocak assist. Juniata led 25-17 at the half. 

Goucher slowly chipped away at the Eagle lead, and a jumper pulled them within one, 37-36. Juniata ran the clock down on the other end, with Hardy getting the ball on the wing with five seconds showing on the shot clock. He hit his defender with a right to left crossover to get into paint, spun, and converted the jumper. After a stop, Littles Jr, laid the ball off for Griffith in the paint for another JC bucket. Yawn knifed into the paint and finished with his right hand in traffic. Kocak split a pair of free throws, and Yawn found Littles for another above-the-break three to put Juniata ahead by 11.

The Eagles held on for the final seven minutes to get the win. 

Juniata took care of the basketball, committing 11 turnovers, while Goucher committed 17, which JC capitalized on as they scored 20 points off those turnovers. 

Juniata returns to action at home against Susquehanna, Wednesday at 7:00.