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EAST STROUDSBURG - Gannon ended the game on a 12-4 run, ending East Stroudsburg University's unbeaten start with a 71-64 win in PSAC men's basketball on Saturday afternoon at Koehler Fieldhouse.
ESU (7-1, 4-1) averaged 105.9 points per game in its first seven contests, but Gannon (5-5, 2-3) controlled the pace - ranking 17th in the PSAC in scoring (65.4 ppg) and second in scoring defense (62.9 ppg) entering the weekend.
Jair Green scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half, Evan Phoenix had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Damon Miraud had 11 points and seven boards for Gannon.
Sophomore forward
Kobi Nwandu and sophomore guard
Montrel Morgan both scored 12 points, redshirt senior forward
Steve Harris had 10 points and nine rebounds and junior guard
Kitt Najee Walls scored eight points for ESU.
Gannon shot 26-for-53 (49.1 percent) from the field to overcome 23 turnovers, while ESU shot 21-for-50 (42.0 percent) with 21 turnovers. The Warriors were just 4-for-19 from the three-point line after leading the PSAC in three's per game (11.6) and ranking fourth in three-point percentage (38.2).
The game featured 19 lead changes and 10 ties, including 11 lead changes and six ties in the second half.
Gannon scored six straight to take a 51-47 lead with just over nine minutes left, followed by six straight for ESU in the next minute to go back in front, 53-51.
It was a one-possession game for nearly all of the final 10 minutes, with ESU taking its final lead (60-59) on three free throws by freshman guard
Marc Rodriguez with 4:41 remaining.
Phoenix gave Gannon the lead, Green scored in the paint for a 63-60 lead at the 3:39 mark, and drilled a three for a six-point lead with 1:45 remaining after a couple of trips for ESU came up empty.
Redshirt junior guard
Jakwan Jones had a steal and layup to get ESU back within 66-62 with 50 seconds left and the Warriors forced Gannon's 23rd turnover to get the ball back, but a three didn't go and Gannon was 5-for-6 at the foul line in the last 24 seconds.
