Big First Half Catapults Eagles Past Gophers at the Palestra
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team led almost wire-to-wire as they defeated Goucher College, 79-66, Sunday afternoon at the historic Palestra, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.
William Littles Jr. led the way with 14 points, two rebounds, and two steals, while Ty Kocak had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Malcolm Griffith tallied 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Tre Yawn added nine points, three rebounds, and two assists off the bench. `
Griffith found Bruce for a three to get the game started for the Eagles, and Ayden Hurley later swished a three. The Gophers knotted things at 8-8 with 15 minutes to go in the half.
Littles turned defense into offense, stealing the ball, racing the other way, and laying it in off the glass. After a stop, Yawn found Littles for a three. Deja vu set in as after another strong Eagle defensive possession resulted in a stop, Yawn ran up the floor. He drove to draw the defense's attention before deftly flipping the ball to Littles in the corner, who drained his second straight three to make it 16-8.
Goucher called a timeout, but to no avail as JC got another stop and drew a foul before splitting two foul shots. Kocak found Hurley for an and-one to make it 20-8.
Juniata dominated the final 10 minutes of the half with a 24-10 sprint, heading into the locker room with a commanding 44-18 lead.
Littles led all scorers at the break with 10 points.
Goucher pulled closer but never threatened in the second half, as Juniata coasted to the win.
Juniata was deadly in transition, scoring 24 fastbreak points and 15 points off turnovers.
The Eagles will host Elizabethtown on Wednesday at 7:00.
