Men's Basketball Susquehanna Athletic Communications

Susquehanna Wins Overtime Thriller over Moravian, Advances to Thursday's Landmark Semifinals

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Susquehanna University men's basketball put up a season-high 100 points in a 100-90 overtime victory at home against Moravian on Tuesday, February 25, advancing to the Landmark Conference Semifinals.

The fourth-seeded River Hawks will now travel north to face No. 1 seed and 25th-ranked Drew University on Thursday at 7 p.m., aiming for a spot in Saturday's Landmark Championship.

Tied at 82-82 going into overtime, the River Hawks rattled off the first five points and never looked back, outscoring the fifth-seeded Greyhounds by a 100-90 score. Billy Anderson was the standout performer for Susquehanna, dropping a career-high 29 points on an efficient 12-for-16 shooting. He also hit one 3-pointer in the first half, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out four assists.

The game opened with high intensity, fueled by an electric atmosphere. Anderson scored four of the River Hawks' first six points as both teams traded early blows. Jackson Van Wagener quickly made his presence felt, scoring five points, and grabbing a steal within a minute of Anderson's early surge. Van Wagener finished the game with 18 points, including two momentum-swinging three-pointers. Susquehanna's efficient shooting proved to be the difference in the first half. The River Hawks shot 62.5% from the field and 41.7% from three, compared to Moravian's 50% shooting from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc. 

The teams battled back and forth until the seven-minute mark when Susquehanna went on a 10-0 run in just two-and-a-half minutes. Anderson scored five of those points and finished the half with 15 points and three assists. Moravian responded with a five-point burst in the final minute, capped by Porter Kelly's crucial layup as time wound down. Kelly, who had 11 first-half points, helped trim the deficit to five as Susquehanna led 46-41 at the break. The River Hawks extended their lead early in the second half, with Van Wagener and Mike Pirone each converting three-point plays to push the margin to 14. Pirone had a breakout performance, scoring a season-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

Moravian mounted a strong comeback, outscoring Susquehanna 32-19 over the final 13-and-a-half minutes of regulation. Van Wagener converted an and-one play to briefly put Susquehanna ahead with a minute left, but Chad Kratzer, who scored 13 of Moravian's points in the closing stretch, made two clutch free throws to force overtime.

Anderson then took control in the extra period, opening overtime with a three-point play and a quick basket to give the River Hawks a five-point lead. Susquehanna never looked back, continuing to build on their advantage and securing the win.

The River Hawks now head to New Jersey on Thursday, hoping to avenge a season sweep of the Rangers who went unbeaten in Landmark play this season at 18-0, while standing 22-3 overall and earning their first national ranking in program history. Thursday night also serves as a rematch of last year's Landmark Semifinals, where the third-seeded River Hawks prevailed over the two-seeded Rangers by a 68-66 score. The winner will face the victor of the Wilkes and Catholic semifinals, a game, set for 7 p.m. from Washington, D.C.