Griffins Hold Off Saints at Franklin and Marshall Tourny, 87-77
by:
Whit HaynesSophomore Garrett Sharlow racked up a team high 20 points Friday.
Nov. 20: The St. Lawrence University men's basketball team clawed their way back from a 19-point deficit in the first half and got within two possessions, but Gwynedd-Mercy outlasted the Scarlet and Brown to earn the 87-77 win in the first game of the Franklin & Marshall Tournament on Friday evening in Lancaster, PA.
The Griffins earned their first win of the season with the victory and now stand at 1-1, while the Saints fall to an 0-2 mark.
Sophomore Garrett Sharlow scored a team-high 20 points off 7-of-13 shooting, while seniors Andy Hoercher and Josh Sharlow, as well as sophomore Ralph Temgoua, combined for 48 points, each posting numbers in the double digits. Hoercher led the Scarlet and Brown with six assists, while Sharlow shot 5-of-10 from behind the arc and earned a game-high four steals.
"We battled back from being down almost 20 points, but got out-rebounded by 19 which is tough to overcome," said St. Lawrence University Head Coach Chris Downs. "We'll look to have a strong effort tomorrow night against New York City Tech."
The Saints controlled the opening minutes of the first half, earning as much as a six point lead over their opponent. But it was the offensive efforts of the Griffins that highlighted the first 20 minutes of action, as Gwynedd-Mercy scored 24 unanswered points in just under eight minutes in the middle of the frame to jump out to a comfortable 32-13 lead with 6:37 still to play as the Saints struggled from the field. The Griffins were able to maintain a double-digit lead over the Scarlet and Brown throughout the remainder of the half as the teams entered the locker rooms with a score of 46-32 in favor of Gwynedd-Mercy.
Hoercher sunk two three-pointers in a row, as a resilient St. Lawrence squad fought back and inched their way closer to erasing the deficit. With 9:35 left on the clock, the Saints rallied to within five points of the Griffins as Garrett Sharlow tipped a shot in off the glass. Despite a tough effort by the Scarlet and Brown, Gwynedd-Mercy's Mike Payne nailed a three to fuel a 10-0 run bringing the score to 85-72. Hoercher hooked one in from underneath to pull St. Lawrence within 10, but Griffin Jon Hogga sunk back-to-back free throws to help Gwynedd-Mercy earn the 87-77 victory.
"Gwynedd-Mercy is a very talented team that I think will win over 20 games this season," said Coach Downs.
The Saints will take on New York City Tech on Saturday, November 21st in the consolation game of the Franklin and Marshall Tournament. Tip-off is set for 6:00pm.