Kean Falls to Scranton, 61-59

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (11/28/09) - Junior forward Jonathan Jones (Linden, N.J.) scored a team-high 14 points, however the Kean University men's basketball team fell to University of Scranton, 61-59, at the Holiday Inn Airport Invitational at the University of Rochester on Saturday evening.

It was the second meeting between the two teams in the last 11 days, as the two teams opened the season on November 17 in a 73-64 win by Scranton (4-1).

The Cougars (1-2) held a 31-25 lead at halftime, as the frontcourt combination of Jones, senior Akinwande Oshodi (Florence, N.J.) and senior Rodlin Pierre (Orange, N.J.) combined for 18 points and nine rebounds, hitting 9-of-14 shots from the floor.  As a team, the Cougars connected on 55.6 percent (15-of-27) shots from the floor, while limiting the Royals to just 35.7 percent (10-of-28) shooting in the opening half. 

Kean extended its lead out to double-figures early in the half and would take its largest lead of the game after scoring the first six points of the half to double the six-point halftime lead to 12 points less than three minutes into the half.  Jones scored the first four points of the half, while Pierre (pictured right) closed out the run with a layup.

The Royals would trim the Kean lead to just five points with under 10 minutes remaining in the game, and would eventually tie the game at 57-57 on a three-pointer by junior guard Zach Ashworth (Doylestown, Pa.) with 1:48 left in the contest.  Scranton would take a two-point lead on a pair of free throws by freshman guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, N.J.), before Kean senior forward Brian Lytle (Union, N.J.) tied the game back up with a layup with 40 seconds left on the clock.

Ashworth would put the Royals back ahead with 10 seconds remaining and a Kean jumper by senior guard Vinnie Darpino (Colonia, N.J.) in the final seconds was off the mark, as the Royals rallied for the 61-59 victory.

The charity stripe also made a difference in the game, as the Cougars made just three trips to the foul line in the second half and had just five foul shots for the game, while the Royals made the most of their opportunities, hitting 12-of-15 from the free throw line in the second half and 16-of-20 for the contest.

Jones (pictured left) hit 7-of-11 shots from the floor and added six rebounds, three steals and two blocks for Kean.  Darpino added 13 points and four assists and rookie guard Mike Shaughnessy (Linwood, N.J.) added seven points and six assists. 

Ashworth scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the second half for Scranton, while senior forward Eli Londo (Hamlin, Pa.) finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cougars face Curry College in the consolation game on Sunday at 1 p.m.