Sophomore point-guard Randy Arnold certainly redeemed himself in The University of Scranton’s 65-55 victory over Lycoming College in the Freedom Conference opener for both teams Wednesday evening at Lamade Gymnasium.
After uncharacteristically turning the ball over nine times in last Saturday’s 72-63 loss at Catholic University, Arnold more than made up for that effort by scoring a career-high 27 points, including 16 in the second-half, as the Royals improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Freedom Conference. Scranton’s 4-1 start is its best since the 1997-1998 season. Lycoming, which fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in league play, was led by senior forward Jonathan Pribble with 18 points, seven below his average.
Junior center Mike Kreuter gave the Royals a big boost off the bench with 10 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Scranton also out-rebounded the Warriors, 47-40, to post its first win at Lycoming since a 74-69 win on January 31, 2001. The Warriors struggled with their perimeter shooting throughout the evening and made just 7 of 28 attempts in the second-half (25.0 percent) to finish 30.4 percent for the game (17 of 56).
Arnold’s previous career-high of 24 points came in a 70-55 win at Clarkson on Tuesday, November 22, 2005, in Potsdam, New York.
The Royals will play their first home game of the season this Saturday, December 3, against the Rangers of Drew University in Freedom Conference action beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the John J. Long, S.J., Center.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON (4-1, 1-0) Randy Arnold 8-18 9-10 27; Mike Kreuter 3-6 4-8 10; Bill Burke 4-5 1-1 9; Patrick Clabby 2-6 3-4 7; Ryan FitzPatrick 2-5 1-2 6; Darren Cannon 2-7 1-5 6; Paul Hawk 0-1 0-0 0; Tom Bicknell 0-1 0-0 0; Mike McGowan 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 21-53 19-30 65. LYCOMING COLLEGE (2-3, 0-1) Jonathan Pribble 4-16 7-8 18; Dave Wilson 5-9 2-2 13; Patrick Baylor 3-7 0-1 6; Shawn Harper 2-5 0-3 4; Kevin Morris 0-5 4-4 4; Greg Woody 1-5 1-2 3; Brad Musser 0-5 3-8 3; Derrick Dull 1-1 0-0 2; Greg Sye 1-3 0-2 2. Totals 17-56 17-30 55. Scranton........................ 29 36 - 65 Lycoming College.............. 24 31 - 55 3-point goals-SCRMBB 4-16 (Randy Arnold 2-5; Ryan FitzPatrick 1-3; Darren Cannon 1-6; Paul Hawk 0-1; Mike McGowan 0-1), Lycoming College 4-16 (Jonathan Pribble 3-6; Dave Wilson 1-3; Kevin Morris 0-1; Greg Woody 0-2; Brad Musser 0-1; Patrick Baylor 0-3). Fouled out--SCRMBB-Patrick Clabby, Lycoming College-Brad Musser. Rebounds-SCRMBB 47 (Randy Arnold 7), Lycoming College 40 (Greg Sye 7). Assists-SCRMBB 10 (Randy Arnold 2; Patrick Clabby 2; Mike McGowan 2), Lycoming College 12 (Brad Musser 7). Total fouls-SCRMBB 25, Lycoming College 27.