ROSEMONT – The Rosemont College men's basketball team led the entire way in today's game and fended off a late comeback attempt from the visiting Keystone College Giants to come away with a 76-73 win. The win lifted the Raven's record to 6-7 (4-2 CSAC) while Keystone fell to 1-9 (1-4 CSAC). The win marked the first time in program history that the team had won four consecutive conference games.
The Ravens worked gradually to open up a 15-6 lead midway through the first half and the two teams played evenly for the remainder of the first as the Ravens took a 34-24 advantage into the locker room.
Two layups by Dom Scafidi in the first 49 seconds of the 2nd half opened up the Raven's lead to 14 points, 38-24, but the Giants refused to fold, coming back with two straight treys to narrow the gap back to eight points, 38-30 less than a minute later. Keystone would continue putting on pressure, narrowing the gap to only four points with Rosemont still ahead 43-39 with 14:36 left. Still ahead by four points, 47-43, Rosemont would put together an 11-0 rally to enjoy a 15 point advantage (58-43) with 7:37 left.
But it wouldn't be that easy today. Still ahead 62-47 with 5:09 left the Giants quickly sliced back into the game, outscoring the Ravens 17-6 to get back to within four points with Rosemont ahead 68-64 with 1:55 left. A Khai Roberts layup off of a missed shot would put Rosemont back in front by six, but Keystone's Miles Dargan would bury a three to get Keystone to within three points at 72-69 with 46 seconds left. A Dom Scafidi layup would put the Ravens back up by five, 74-69 with 41 seconds on the clock, but a layup by the Giants' DeVaughn Roberts-Thomas would get the Giants back to within three points, 74-71 with 24 seconds left.
A key free throw from Nadir Stukes would put Rosemont up by four points but Roberts-Thomas would answer again for Keystone; this time with a layup to cut the margin to only two points with the Ravens leading 75-73 with 10 seconds left. This time a converted free throw from Stukes would force the Giants to try for a trey at the buzzer and the shot was unsuccessful as the buzzer sounded, giving the Ravens the win.
Dom Scafidi was strong for the Ravens throughout the game, scoring 20 and grabbing 11 rebounds for his 3rd double-double of the season. Khai Roberts and Marcus Thomas also had big days for Rosemont, each scoring 16 points.
Keystone's Miles Dargan led the Giants with 17 points. The Giants had a trio of players who each scored 12 (Duncan Lunsford, Tyreek Peeples, DeVaughn Roberts-Thomas).
The Ravens stay at home for their next game which is scheduled for Monday, 1/12 against CSAC-rival Cairn University. The game against the Highlanders is scheduled for an 8pm start.
