McCANDLESS, Pa. - Head Coach Hermie Carmichael earned his 100th career AMCC victory Saturday afternoon as La Roche men's basketball took down conference rival Penn St. Behrend in double-overtime at the Kerr, 96-92. The Redhawks defeated the Lions in both meetings this season by six points combined. The double-overtime win is La Roche's first since January 20th, 2014 when they took down Pitt Greensburg at the Kerr, 96-92. Coach Carmichael owns a 9-8 record in his career at LRU against legendary Penn St. Behrend men's basketball head coach, David Nilan, who earned his 500th career victory earlier this season.
Four different Redhawks finished with 15 or more points in Saturday's contest led by Tyler Frederick who picked up his 13th double-double of the season (1st in AMCC, T-7th in D-III) with a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Kennedy Smith contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and a game-high five assists. Darius Lawrence added 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Austin Hannes posted 15 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
After missing the Redhawks first twenty games of the season due to an injury suffered over the summer, Senior guard Darrell Barron came up huge in the second overtime period of Saturday's victory in his return. Barron scored seven of La Roche's 12 points in double-OT while shooting a perfect 3 of 3 from the field.
As a unit, the Redhawks shot an efficient 54% (37-68) from the floor and 44% (11-25) from three-point range. LRU has shot over 50% from the field in seven games this season.
Now 15-1 in AMCC action, La Roche holds a 1.5 game lead over Pitt Greensburg (14-3) for first place in the conference.
Final/2OT: La Roche: 96, Penn St. Behrend: 92
Records: La Roche (15-6, AMCC: 15-1), Penn St. Behrend (14-7, AMCC: 11-5)
How it Happened
The Redhawks shot lights out in the first five minutes of today's game, knocking down their first six attempts to take an early 14-4 lead. Penn St. Behrend climbed back in with a 13-5 run of their own to make it a two point game with 11:21 still to play in the first. The Redhawks would then produce another 14-4 run capped off by two Austin Hannes 3-PT to give La Roche a 12 point lead, their largest of the contest. LRU maintained and headed into halftime ahead 44-34.
Penn St. Behrend opened up the second with two quick buckets to cut the deficit in half less just over a minute in. The Redhawks were able to keep the Lions at bay over the next six minutes of play until, after a PSB timeout, the Lions went on an 8-0 to take their first lead of the contest, up 58-56 with 11:39 still to go. The lead would change two more times before La Roche would put together an 8-0 to go ahead 71-63 with 5:07 remaining in regulation. The Lions refused to quit and would end the second half on a 13-5 run capped off by a Mitchell King three-pointer to tie the game 76-76.
Darius Lawrence hit two clutch free throws at the end of the first overtime to keep the Redhawks alive and force a second OT. LRU never lead in the first OT.
Darrell Barron scored all seven of his points and knocked down all three field goal attempts in the second overtime period to propel La Roche to a 96-92 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Freshman guard Joe Pipilo added nine points, two assists and a rebound in 18 minutes off the bench. Pipilo scored all nine of his points from beyond the arc where he shot 3 of 6 (50%).
Senior forward Luke McDonough provided seven points, seven boards and two blocks. McDonough has had at least two blocks in each of his last four games.
The Redhawks posted 17 assists on 37 field goals. The team has dished out at least 15 assists in six of their last seven contests.
La Roche once again won the battle on the boards, out-rebounding the Lions 40-34.
Six Lions scored in double-digit figures led by Kenny Fulkon who finished with 19 points. PSB shot 51% (37-72) from the field, their most field goal attempts in a game this season.
NEXT UP: Men's basketball hosts conference opponent Franciscan University this Wednesday, February 12th. Game-time is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Kerr.
