The Game Facts:
Score: Eastern University (Pa.) 73, Roanoke 71
Location: Winchester, Va. – Shenandoah University Classic
The Short story: Eastern University hung on for a 73-71 win as the Roanoke College men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season Saturday at the Winchester Sports Medicine Team Tipoff Classic, hosted by Shenandoah University.
The Maroons trailed by two with less than five seconds to play and Eastern with possession. Roanoke stole the inbounds pass, but a deep three-pointer for the win rimmed out as time expired.
How it happened:
* Eastern led 23-14 with seven minutes left in the first half, but RC tied the score at 23 all after netting nine-straight points. The Eagles took a 31-30 lead into halftime.
*The Maroons powered to a 42-33 lead after scoring 12 of the first 14 points after intermission.
*Roanoke held a 55-51 advantage with seven minutes left in the game, but an 8-0 run gave Eastern the lead back for good.
Inside the numbers:
*
Joshua McClary scored a team-high 15 points along with five assists and three steals.
*
Patrick Clevenger and
Ryan Truitt each had 10 points and seven rebounds.
*
Jackson Bell scored 12 points.
*
Marcus Morgan had a full stat line of seven points, seven rebounds and three steals.
*
Clayton Gaither scored eight points and
Gavin O'Malley totaled six points and four rebounds before fouling out after just 16 minutes of action.
*Zubair Lee had game highs of 28 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles.
*Eastern advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago and finished 21-8.
Up Next:
*The Maroons (0-1) will face SUNY-Geneseo at Shenandoah Sunday at 2 p.m.
