Crusaders Secure Postseason Spot

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - The Susquehanna University men's basketball team clinched a spot in the Landmark playoffs with a 74-61 win over the Catholic University. The Crusaders improve to 12-9 overall (9-2 Landmark), while the Cardinals fall to 8-14 overall (2-9 Landmark).

Josh Robinson (Mahwah, N.J./River Dell) tied his season-high finishing the game with 27 points and six boards. Rob Cosgrove (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) set a new career-high with 15 points and game-best eight rebounds. Joel Patch (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) tallied 12 points, pulled down six boards, and recorded four swipes.

The score was close in the beginning of the first half as Catholic jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the first five minutes of play. However, SU rattled off 14 unanswered points, which included three baskets and a thunderous dunk all by Patch, to gain a double digit advantage (16-6) midway through the first period. The Crusaders achieved their largest lead, 37-15, on a three-point play by Robinson with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Susquehanna entered intermission with a comfortable 39-20 cushion.

Robinson led all scorers at the half with 12 points and Patch had 10. SU shot 46.7 from the field while holding the Cardinals to a 25.8 percent clip.

Susquehanna increased its advantage to 23 (45-22) within the opening minute of the second stint with two baskets from Robinson and layup by Cosgrove. However, fueled by a triple from R.J. Dixon at the 17:05 mark, the Cardinals went on an 18-2 run over a five minute span to pull to within seven, 50-43, with 12:58 showing on the clock. Both teams battled back-and-forth over the proceeding four-plus minutes until Catholic netted five to cut it to six, 57-51, with just under seven left in regulation. Susquehanna scored 10 points in the final three minutes, five of which came from Cosgrove, to pull away with the victory. The Cardinals were held to just three points during that time span.

For the game, the Crusaders held a 39-36 edge on the glass over the visiting Cardinals. They converted 19 points off 10 Cardinal miscues, while committing a season-low five turnovers.

Catholic was paced by Jason Banzhaf with 16 points and seven rebounds. Wes Parker had 11, while Dixon chipped in with 9.

The Crusaders return to action on Feb. 16 when they travel to Merchant Marine. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m