SCRANTON, Pa.—Freshman guard Ryan FitzPatrick scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds and sophomore guard Randy Arnold and sophomore center Tom Bicknell contributed 10 points apiece to lead The University of Scranton to a 72-38 victory over Drew University in Freedom Conference action Saturday afternoon at the John J. Long, S.J., Center.
The Royals, now 5-1 and 2-0 in league play, took advantage of a cold-shooting Ranger team in the first half to build up a comfortable 37-15 lead at halftime. Drew, which connected on only 5 of 24 field goal attempts (20.8 percent) in the opening 20 minutes of play and finished 25.5 percent (12 of 47) for the game, fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Freedom Conference.
Junior guard Mike McGowan came off the bench to contribute nine points in 15 minutes of action and junior forward Patrick Clabby had eight points, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals for Scranton, whose lead was never seriously in jeopardy after halftime. The Royals connected on 14 of 29 field goal attempts (48.3 percent) in the second-half to finish 42.9 percent for the game. Scranton also out-rebounded the Rangers, 45-31.
Bicknell, a transfer from Adams State College in Colorado, eclipsed his career-high in points. He had a then season-high nine points in last Saturday’s 72-63 loss at Catholic University and scored nine points while playing for Adams State last season in a 77-60 loss at Colorado State-Pueblo.
The Royals also extended their home winning streak to 14 games. Scranton hasn’t lost at the Long Center since a 76-69 defeat to DeSales University on February 14, 2004.
Dave Pepperman came off the bench to lead Drew, now 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Freedom Conference, with seven points and six rebounds in 19 minutes of action.
DREW UNIVERSITY (3-2/1-1 Freedom) Dave Pepperman 3-7 1-2 7; David Cramer 2-3 0-0 5; Chris Lopez 2-6 0-0 4; Ryan Eisner 1-1 2-3 4; Dennis Mayes 0-1 3-6 3; Damon DiLorenzo 1-3 1-2 3; Bill Marano 1-4 1-2 3; Gerard Mullin 1-4 0-0 3; Steve Natoli 1-4 0-0 2; Bob Carella 0-6 1-2 1; Kevin Codey 0-1 0-3 0; Scott Miller 0-2 0-2 0; Nelson Albino 0-3 0-0 0; Sam Taub 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 12-47 12-27 38. THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON (5-1/2-0 Freedom) Ryan FitzPatrick 3-8 2-2 11; Randy Arnold 5-9 0-0 10; Tom Bicknell 3-3 4-4 10; Mike McGowan 3-5 3-4 9; Patrick Clabby 3-7 2-2 8; Darren Cannon 2-5 0-0 6; Ryan Kirk 1-3 2-2 5; Paul Biagoli 2-4 0-0 4; Brendan Fuller 1-4 0-0 3; James Powell 1-2 0-0 2; Mike Kreuter 0-2 2-6 2; Bill Burke 0-1 1-2 1; Paul Hawk 0-2 0-0 0; Nick Alfier 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-56 17-24 72. Drew University............... 15 23 - 38 The University of Scranton.... 37 35 - 72 3-point goals-Drew University 2-14 (David Cramer 1-1; Gerard Mullin 1-4; Dennis Mayes 0-1; Bill Marano 0-2; Bob Carella 0-2; Scott Miller 0-1; Sam Taub 0-1; Chris Lopez 0-2), The University of Scranton 7-24 (Ryan FitzPatrick 3-6; Darren Cannon 2-4; Ryan Kirk 1-3; Brendan Fuller 1-3; James Powell 0-1; Paul Hawk 0-2; Nick Alfier 0-1; Mike McGowan 0-2; Randy Arnold 0-2). Fouled out--Drew University-None, The University of Scranton-None. Rebounds-Drew University 31 (Dave Pepperman 6), The University of Scranton 45 (Tom Bicknell 7). Assists-Drew University 6 (Bob Carella 1; Damon DiLorenzo 1; Kevin Codey 1; Steve Natoli 1; Ryan Eisner 1; Chris Lopez 1), The University of Scranton 11 (Ryan FitzPatrick 3). Total fouls-Drew University 23, The University of Scranton 23. A-850