McCANDLESS, Pa. - In the AMCC Game of the Week, La Roche (5-5, AMCC: 5-0) shot 22 of 37 (60%) from the floor in the second half for the second straight game in an 89-73 victory over Pitt Greensburg (7-2, AMCC: 5-0) to move to the top of the conference standings. La Roche is the only team in the AMCC still undefeated in conference play. The surging Redhawks have won four in a row and five of their last six, all against the conference.
Junior forward Tyler Frederick scored a career-high 34 points while shooting 15 of 21 (71%) from the field, hauled in 12 rebounds, and posted three steals in a block. The Butler Native, who averages 20.4 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game (both 1st in AMCC), put up 25 points in the second half alone, one point higher than his previous of career-high of 24 points which he set earlier this season against Eastern Mennonite on November 16th.
As pointed out by LRU Head Coach Hermie Carmichael on twitter, Saturday afternoon's win wasn't just about Frederick's dominant performance, it took an overall team effort on both ends of the floor to hand the Bobcats just their second loss of the season and first since their season opener on November 12th. UPG, previously 5-0 in AMCC play, were held to just 27 field goals on 63 attempts (43%), tied for their second lowest mark of the season. The Redhawks knocked down 36 field goals on 68 attempts (53%), their second highest mark this season. LRU has shot 50% or better in all five wins this season.
How It Happened
Through the first six minutes of today's contest, the game was tied 8 points a piece. The Redhawks then went on a 16-4 run in which they shot 7 of 9 from the field to up 12 with nine minutes left to play in the half.
Then, Greensburg shifted the momentum by going on a 14-3 run to make it a one point game. La Roche would head into halftime ahead 35-22, with no Redhawks in double-digit figures.
Five and a half minutes into the second, the Bobcats regained the lead for the first time since the 17:52 mark in the first half to go up 47-46. Frederick then scored three straight buckets to start an 11-3 Redhawks run. LRU never relinquished the lead. At the 7:00 mark of the second half, Frederick through down a monster dunk nearly putting a Bobcat on a poster.
The Redhawks ended the contest on a 12-4 run to put the game out of reach and improve to .500 for the first time this season.
Inside the Box Score
Senior guard's Darius Lawrence and Kennedy Smith each played a pivotal role in the contest, scoring a combined 31 points while shooting 9-10 from the free-throw line. (Smith: 16, Lawrence: 15). Lawrence completed three "and-one's" in the game.
La Roche dominated underneath, outscoring Pitt Greensburg 54-30 in the paint (a season-high for LRU) and out-rebounded the Bobcats 40-34.
The Redhawks shot 4 of 20 (20%) from beyond the arc, a season worst, but still managed to shoot 53% overall.
Freshman Jioni Smith and Sophomore Desmond Ross were clutch off the bench, combining for 12 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Senior Luke McDonough provided 2 big blocks in the contest. McDonough has averaged 1.2 blocks per game this season (6th in AMCC).
Five Bobcats finished with 10+ points but none scored more than 14.
NEXT UP: Men's basketball is off for two weeks for the Holidays. The Redhawks play again on Saturday, January 4th at the Kerr against D'Youville College. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.