Men's Basketball Rallies to Upend Susquehanna, 75-70

WILKES-BARRE, Md.--Junior Ryan Junghans and senior Jesse Gutekunst combined for 45 points to lead the Hood College men's basketball team (7-3) to an impressive come-from-behind 75-70 victory over Susquehanna University (4-5) Tuesday at the Ramada Inn/Monarch Classic hosted by King's College.

Despite playing without leading scorer Josh Robinson, who averages over 20 points per game, the Crusaders led the entire first half and at one point built a double-figure edge. But the Blazers, engaging in their first contest since Dec. 8, shuck off the rust from the layoff and outscored Susquehanna 10-2 in the final 3:23 of the half and trailed 30-27 at the break.

The Crusaders ripped off the first eight points of the second half to regain a double-digit lead. Hood managed to dig itself out of an 11-point hole with 7:42 to go and eventually knotted the score at 64-64 on a Junghans' jumper with 2:19 left in regulation. Junghans then gave the Blazers their first lead of the night on an old-fashioned three-point play.

The Crusaders, who started hot, hitting 50% of their shots in the first 20 minutes, endured a span of 5:32 between field goals down the stretch. Although the Blazers never relinquished their lead, twice the Crusaders drilled three-point baskets to draw to within three. But the Blazers connected on 6-of-9 from the foul line in the final 55 seconds to escape with the hard-fought victory.

Hood was outrebounded by 15 in the contest, including 13-4 on the offensive glass, but Anthony Bennett, Mike McCarrick, Mark McGlone and Gutekunst pulled down some critical caroms in the closing minutes.

The Blazers also demonstrated remarkable poise at the stripe, hitting 21-of-25 free throw attempts. By comparison, the Crusaders went to the line just twice the entire night.

Gutekunst, who saw limited action due to foul trouble and was held to one field goal attempt in the first half, finished with a game-high 23 points, including 20 in the second half. Junghans finished with 22 markers on 6-of-13 shooting to go along with three steals. Bennett also reached double digits with 12 points and grabbed five rebounds off the bench.

Kevin Cuff paced four Crusaders in double figures with 23 points.

The Blazers, winners of four of their last five, advance to the championship game of the Ramada Inn/Monarch Classic Wednesday against Lebanon Valley College at 7 p.m.